Cardiff Devils triumph over Brûleurs de Loups to claim first European title

A sold-out Vindico Arena witnessed a dominant performance from the Devils, who thrilled the home crowd with a relentless display of skill and determination. Brett Perlini emerged as the star of the night, completing a hat-trick and cementing his place in the club’s history.

The match began with high energy, as Tyler Busch opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a pass from Kohen Olischefski against the run of play. Despite early penalties that disrupted the rhythm, the Devils managed to control the momentum. Brûleurs de Loups equalized in the 16th minute when Aurelien Dair fired home during a power play, but Cardiff responded with poise.

The second period belonged entirely to the Welsh side. Perlini restored the lead in the 24th minute, slipping past the defense to score with precision. Seven minutes later, he was back on the scoresheet, pouncing on a rebound from Bayley Harewood's shot to make it 3-1.

Cardiff’s relentless attack continued as Josh MacDonald and Cole Sanford netted two goals in quick succession before the end of the second period, widening the lead to 5-1. A commanding performance from the Devils’ power play unit left Brûleurs de Loups struggling to recover.

The third period saw little resistance from the French team, who managed only four shots on goal during the middle frame. Perlini added the final touch to his spectacular night with an empty-net goal just 16 seconds before the buzzer, igniting celebrations throughout the arena.

This victory represents the ninth title for the Devils in ten seasons since the club's acquisition by its current ownership group in 2014. Over the years, Cardiff fans have celebrated domestic success in the Challenge Cup, the Playoffs, and the Elite League. However, this Continental Cup triumph marks a new pinnacle for the team.

Devils head coach Brodie Dupont praised his players for their discipline and execution, highlighting the importance of winning in front of their home fans. "This team has shown resilience all season, and tonight they delivered when it mattered most," Dupont said.

For Brûleurs de Loups, penalties proved costly, as repeated trips to the box disrupted their flow. Matija Pintaric, their Slovenian goaltender, faced 46 shots, and while he made some key saves, the pressure was relentless.

Cardiff, on the other hand, executed their game plan to perfection, showcasing a mix of speed, precision passing, and clinical finishing. Perlini, named Man of the Match, summed up the emotions of the night: “Winning at home, with this crowd, in this way—it’s something we’ll never forget.”

As the Vindico Arena echoed with the Welsh anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Cardiff Devils etched their name into European hockey history. Fans will long cherish the night their team became champions of the continent.

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