Cardiff Devils’ 4–2 Win Secures Challenge Cup Tie
Cardiff Devils are guaranteed at least an elimination game for the Challenge Cup semi-finals after beating Nottingham Panthers 4–2 on the road. The win put Cardiff top of Group A with one match remaining, in a competition where five teams were still chasing qualification.
Four teams level on points
Sunday’s results left Cardiff, Sheffield Steelers, Nottingham and Guildford Flames on 12 points each. Guildford, in third place, and Nottingham, in fourth, had completed their 10-game programmes. Cardiff and Sheffield each had one game left, while Manchester Storm remained in contention from fifth place on seven points, with three games to play.
The top two in Group A qualify directly for the semi-finals. The third-placed side instead faces an elimination tie against the runners-up from Group B, so Cardiff’s position at the top matters even though the final places are not settled.
Goals turn a tight game
Nick Welsh gave Cardiff the lead in the opening period, and Evan Mosey added another in the second. Nottingham levelled through Aiden Hansen-Bukata and Spencer Naas, who scored within a minute of each other. Nolan Yaremko then restored the Devils’ advantage, before Ryan Barrow scored into an empty net seven seconds from the end.
Mosey was playing for the first time since injuring his knee in a home game against Nottingham in September. He described the match as a must-win and said Cardiff had wanted to avoid leaving qualification to its final fixture and the results of other games.
What remains in Group A
Sheffield host Manchester on Wednesday, 28 October. Manchester then welcome bottom side Coventry Blaze on Friday, 30 October, before travelling to Cardiff on Sunday, 1 November. Those fixtures leave the Devils with a final group match against a Storm side that can still reach the knockout stage.
The standings remain finely balanced: Sheffield can still affect the top-two race, while Manchester’s remaining games give it a route into the knockout places. Cardiff’s win ensures the club will continue beyond the group stage, but the route depends on the final positions.
Group B has a secured semi-final place
Belfast Giants have already clinched a place in the last four as Group B winners. Fife Flyers sit second, three points ahead of Glasgow Clan and four ahead of Dundee Stars, with each of those three sides having three games left.
Cardiff’s next concrete test is the home game against Manchester on Sunday, 1 November; the result will determine whether the Devils finish in an automatic semi-final place or enter the elimination tie.
Sources
- sg.news.yahoo.com — “Devils win 4-2 at Panthers to boost cup bid”
- NHL.com — “Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Flyers visit Devils trying to strengthen hold on 3rd place”
- cbssports.com — “New Jersey Devils News, Scores and Stats 2026-27 – CBS Sports”
- canespr.com — “CAROLINA HURRICANES”
- espn.com — “NHL season preview: Strengths, weaknesses, X factors for all 32 teams – ESPN”
