Martin seals thrilling Cardiff Devils win over Coventry Blaze

Joey Martin settled a nine-goal thriller as Cardiff Devils edged Coventry Blaze 5-4 in the Elite League at the Vindico Arena on Friday.

After a scoreless opening period, Devils started the second at pace and were soon two scores up as Cedric Lacroix and Gleason Fournier found the net.

However, Blaze sparked into life and were 4-2 ahead by the end of the second with Sam Ruffin, Elijiah Barriga and Alessio Luciani, twice, on target as the visitors struck four unanswered goals.

A stunned Devils side managed to stop the one-way traffic when Josh MacDonald pulled a goal back late in that breathless second period.

The drama continued in the final period as Kristoff Kontos got Devils back on level terms with a powerplay goal, before Cole Sanford and MacDonald combined for skipper Martin to claim a dramatic home win.

The two sides meet again on Saturday in a return fixture at the Skydome Arena (18:00 GMT).