Mountfield HK got themselves well back into the race to qualify from Group H thanks to a home 5-2 win over Cardiff Devils – leapfrogging the Welsh side in the group.

It was a strong opening period from the hosts, who took the lead on the powerplay through Tomáš VIncour. A fortunate bounce allowed Lukáš Cingel to slot home into a gaping net with 13:14 played to double the home side’s advantage.

Period two was better for the Devils who created some opportunities, but their failure to convert on one of the three penalties Mountfield took over the course of the end of the second period and start of the third was ultimately to prove costly – indeed, Daniel Rákos converted shorthanded at 42:24 on a breakaway to all-but seal the game early in the final period.

Cardiff however gave their hosts something to worry about with two goals in 30 seconds from Bryce Reddick and then Matias Sointu to suddenly bring the score back to 4-3 with 6:53 left the play. The Devils pressed for another goal, but the gamble of pulling Ben Bowns backfired when Marek Bičevskis scored into the empty net to seal the game.