WINGER Matus Petricko struck two minutes into overtime to defeat his former club.
With the Devils hit badly by injuries it was a good time to play the Welsh side.
But despite being awarded two powerplays inside the opening six minutes, the Vipers couldn’t find a way past temporary netminder Gregg Rockman during the first period.
Shortly after winger Andre Payette had missed an open goal while attempting a wrap- around, the Vipers went behind when Sylvain Deschatelets skated by three defenders before setting up Paul Sample on 28 minutes.
The Devils’ advantage lasted under a minute when Payette made up for his miss by being the provider for his captain David Longstaff’s 11th goal of the season.
Referee Michael Hicks opened up the penalty count when he sent two Vipers to the away sin bin, but the special teams did their job to keep the zero on the scoreboard.
Longstaff went very close to adding a second goal early in the third period when his shot smacked the metalwork.
Hicks then found fault with two more Vipers giving the Devils further powerplay opportunities, but the visitors again stood firm to earn a league point.
The Vipers are again in league action tonight, against Sheffield Steelers at the Metro Radio Arena (face-off 5.30).
CARDIFF DEVILS: Petricko and Sample 1+0, Birbraer, Deschalelets, Silverthorn and Voth 0+1.
