League Record So Far; 26 – 15 – 2, 56pts, 4th Place
L10GP; 5 – 5 – 0, Trend = Increased
Devils capped off an unbeaten contest vs Flyers this season with another 6 goal win, their 3rd straight against the struggling Scots, after the first three games seeing just 5 past each game.
Here are some key observations and even some emerging form, trends and milestones from the past few games leading into the final run-in for the playoffs;
1. Fast start, controlled finish
It took less than 90s for Devils to get on the board, with goals from Gourley and Schoonbaert in quick succession, silencing a timid home crowd and putting the home team under immense pressure.
That is how things stayed, with a barrage of shots raining down on Owen who weathered a tricky storm, until Mosey found Sanford, then Perlini, who cracked one off the skate of a defender for a 3 zip lead. That was Perlini’s 2nd goal in two games against Fife.
Flyers almost got a response confirmed if not for a goal being correctly washed off for a tremendously high stick. If the blade is above Macwilliam of all players, there really isn’t an argument for it to stand.
In the first period alone, Owen faced down 17 SOG, 37.7% of their attempts overall, as Devils managed to move seamlessly around the Flyers DZ and dominate from the NZ out.
2. Class difference noticeable, Flyers ground on
At times it seemed like an exhibition pre-season game or a practice scrimmage, however Flyers never gave up, despite the obvious gulf in class across the benches.
Fife managed to get 2 goals, spoiling a hopeful back to back shut out bid for Bowns, who only secured his first of the season in all competitions on Saturday vs Flyers on the banner raising St Davids Day game.
Their best period was the second, not surprising after that goal being washed out right at the end of the first frame. Space opened up as Devils dared to push and push, being more creative in their approach, leaving for breakaways.
Bowns was up to the task, with Flyers running Devils close for SOG 8:10. This dropped off massively in the end, as a full benched road team controlled the final frame with ease and skated home with the win.
57 shots against 22 with 45 SOG to 17 told its own story.
3. Multi-point night for top players, adding to milestones and streaks
Martin (3), Perlini (3), O’Brien (3), Mosey (2), Sanford (2) all had a multi-point night, leading from the top to the third line. Each defensive unit had a player with at least one point but this was an industrious effort that could have added more, if not for the determination of Flyers talisman, Shane Owen.
That was O’Briens second triple A night in a week, taking his own tallies to 29 assists in regular season so far this year, 4th overall in the league. He has 8 points in the last 4GP, all helpers.
Joey Martin continues to prove why he is the goat, with 1 goal and 2 apples. In his last 4GP he has put up 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points.
MacDonald is currently at a point per game pace but missed the action last night. He is currently two from 50 in regular season so far.
Others who have favourable points returns since the Belfast shutout are Sanford with 5 points (3G, 2A) in 4GP, Mosey also has 5 points (1G, 4A) in the same stretch.
Olischefski is either scoring or helping, he is currently 4 points (1G, 3A) in the last 4GP.
Ryan Barrow has been noticeably improving in the last few weeks and held a solitary candle against the dark during that DH weekend. He is 3 points from the last 4GP, his best stretch all season.
Barrow in the last couple of games hit 100 points for all EIHL competitions, making a big milestone for him.
There are a couple other big players nearing some decent milestones as well, including the returning Perlini, who has scored back to back since his injury in January. He is now 8 points from 200 in all EIHL competitions.
Gleason Fournier is currently 4 helpers away from 200 in the EIHL overall as well, although he hasn’t put up any points in the last 3 games.
4. Powerplay coming up clutch
Devils went 100% on the PP with 3 with two from Perlini and a PPG for Martin. They also went 100% on the PK, which was largely untroubled as they were able to shut down the Flyers with ease.
For the special teams as a whole, it strengthens their overall at 21.31% for 7th in the league on the PP, with the PK still ruling on top with 86.32%.
Martin also scored a PPG in the last game at home vs Flyers, as well as the sole net finder vs Clan on the PP. His last 3 scores have all been on the PP and Martin even got an ENG vs Steelers the week before.
Very clutch and just in the nick of time.
5. More to come with big run in
It is safe to say that at the wrong time, key games slipped by and a losing skid ensued due to the tsunami of injuries that has engulfed the Cardiff Bay club over the season.
However, in recent weeks, slowly but surely, more pieces have been added back into the line up, with Brandt, Davies, Perlini and then Schoonbaert returning, including the acquisition of Almquist.
Richardson has missed a couple of games recently, but that could be a welcome rest for the veteran captain, as PR now has choice of who to pick and scratch for the first time since early December.
Panthers are next up on the home slate for the club but first they face off again vs Steelers in what will go a long way to deciding the top 4, which Devils have now inched closer to returning to the pack.
But first, they have to travel to Coventry against a good team that knows how to battle against the Devils, with a fierce rivalry being reborn in the process.
Just 3 points separate them, much closer than the good guys would like and miles ahead of what was predicted for the Blaze this season. This could be a huge weekend for the standings and in turn, the playoffs.
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