Continental Cup: HK Nitra 3-2 Cardiff Devils - Slovakian side lift trophy
- Published
Cardiff Devils are currently fourth in the Elite League standings
Cardiff Devils' European hopes were ended by a 3-2 defeat against 2023 Continental Cup winners HK Nitra.
The Elite League side found themselves three goals down at the end of the first period with Filip Krivosik, Jakub Lacka and Marek Tvrdon all on target.
Cole Sanford got Devils' first goal midway through the second period before Trevor Cox's goal with 14 minutes left set up a grandstand finish.
But Devils could not find a third as Nitra held on to win the competition.
Devils had made a poor start to the campaign, losing to Angers Ducs on penalties on Friday evening.
Philippe Halley opened the scoring after 12 minutes for the French side before Brodie Reid levelled for Devils early in the third period.
Neither team could find a winner in overtime, before Josh Waller missed the decisive final penalty.
On Saturday, Devils' hopes of winning the cup were boosted by a resounding 7-1 with over Asiago Hockey of Italy.
Braces from Sanford and Waller, as well as a goals from Josh Brittain, Stefan Fournier and Reid saw Cardiff win easily.
But Sunday's defeat to Nitra ended their hopes of European success.