In the last match of the Challenge Cup group stages, Guildford Flames held off Cardiff Devils’ late charge thanks to a hat-trick by Ryan Tait.
Tait and Lewis Hook increased the Flames’ lead after an early brace from Peter Crinella.
Ryan Hughes and Tait scored for the Flames after Ryan Barrow and Joshua Waller retaliated.
Before Tait scored an empty goal, Cole Sanford, Riley Brandt, and Marcus Crawford pulled the hosts within one goal.
Cardiff’s first Challenge Cup loss against the Flames this year prevents them from surpassing Sheffield Steelers to secure the second seed for the quarterfinals.
In the next round of the competition, the Devils are slated as the third seed, while the Flames are ranked fifth.
The Devils will host the Fife Flyers on when they return to Elite League action.
