It’s been a great start to the 2019/20 Champions Hockey League for the Cardiff Devils, with the Welsh side securing five out of a possible six points as they sit top of Group H after the first round of games.
First up was a 3-2 regulation win over Mountfield HK on Friday night, and then they emerged victorious in an exciting game against the Graz99ers that went all the way to a seven round shootout in favour of Cardiff.
Netminder Ben Bowns was fantastic in the shootout, stopping all seven shots he faced, while Sean McMonagle was the go to guy for the Devils as he took three shots, scoring the vital goal to secure victory in the seventh round, lifting the puck past Christoper Nihlstorp for the winner.
We’re thrilled. It’s nice to do well at home.Sean McMonagle
“It’s obviously going to be tougher on the road so to take advantage of the energy the fans were giving us, it was really good.”
With his impressive moves in the shootout, it’s not the first time McMonagle has been relied upon to seal a victory in that way. At this years IIHF World Championships where he represented Italy, the 31-year-old scored the game winner against Austria, keeping the Italians in the top division just a year after they were promoted from Division 1A.
“It’s something I’ve worked on quite a bit and had some success over the course of my career especially in Europe. I like being in that situation and tonight it worked out.”
McMonagle and the Devils now hit the road as they face the return legs against Mountfield and Graz later this week where they’ll look to continue their impressive run.