Weekend Preview; League & Cup Home Action

CC Record; 7 – 0 – 1

League Record; 7 – 0 – 3

Home games vs Flames in the last Challenge Cup group tie and first visit of the Flyers mark 6 games in 10 days for the good guys.

Challenge Cup Business

Saturday night sees another test vs the Flames, that has seen their early season collapse turn around of late, with nothing to play for other than pride and final seedings for the quarters in the Challenge Cup.

Last season Devils finished last in this group, yet win or lose tonight, they qualified as clear winners, with a clash vs the Clan in December. Guildford are likely facing the home teams Sunday opponent, Flyers, who have lost less, have a higher win % and conceded less goals than the Flames.

Of the recent CC meetings, Devils have dominated each, taking a commanding 3-0 series lead before this game, with 15 goals scored, conceding 8 against the visitors.

The game average so far is 5:2.7 in favour of Devils, so will they complete the group stage series and sign off this part of the campaign on a high? It is worth noting that the overall group average for the home team is 4.2 GF and 2.1 GA. (4-2 W for Devils?).

Going into this game the Devils have won 5 in a row, as well as qualification for Continental Cup Finals in 2024 and are currently 4 – 0 – 1 in the league, sitting 3rd and 2pts behind leaders, Sheffield Steelers.

League Points Up for Grabs

So far in this stage of the season, the fall period has seen a lot of battles throughout and some surprising current positions.

It might be worth noting that current goal scoring leaders are Dundee Stars, with all Scots teams in top 5, including, just, the Flames and Giants whom occupy the bottom half of the table.

However, it is almost reverse in GA, with Devils in the top 3. Special teams, particularly the PK, sees Devils lead the pack, with 88%. Fife are not far off with 80%, whereas they are struggling on the PP, whilst the good guys boast a solid 23.33% on the PP.

Devils also have Bowns, who has been on scintillating form, explained here on X https://x.com/hockeysteve8719/status/1727671105480016099?s=20

Speaking of which, the fortunes of Goal Sanford have turned around, following a weekend breakout before Grenoble, scoring 4 in 2 then adding another 2 against Zemgale in the Continental Cup.

6 goals from last 5GP in all competitions, has seen a weight lifted from his shoulders, however, in that game vs the Latvian side, he suffered a knock that has ruled him out since.

Other players hitting great form are Justin Crandall, Trevor Cox, Marcus Crawford and Ben Davies. Busch and Alderson, early November points leaders, have slipped off the scoring pace of late, however, following some rest, this weekend should be a banger.

One To Watch

Image via Cardiff Devils on X

Jamie Arniel

The experienced centre has been moved up and down the top 6 of late, featuring on the top line quite often since the loss to Storm at the start of the month.

This has been paid in spades, buckets, sand and towering castles. He is almost a point per game in pace, with 8 from 9 so far this month in all competitions. His pace in CC is 1 per game, with 8 from 10 in the league.

Not to be missed.

November Points Leaders So Far (9GP)

Featuring EIHL, EIHL CC & IIHF CC

Marcus Crawford – 9pts (1G, 8A)

Trevor Cox – 9pts (9A)

Jamie Arniel – 8pts (1G, 7A)

Justin Crandall – 7pts (4G, 3A)

Evan Mosey – 7pts (3G, 4A)

Cole Ully – 7pts (3G, 4A)

Cole Sanford – 6pts (6G)

Brandon Alderson – 6pts (2G, 4A)

Ben Davies – 5pts (2G, 3A)

Tyler Busch – 4pts (3G, 1A)

Josh Waller – 4pts (2G, 2A)

Cody Donaghey – 3pts (3A)

Ryan Barrow – 2pts (2A)

Mark Richardson – 2pts (2A)

Duggan, Rymsha, Martin – 1pt each

Predicted Line Up vs Flames;

Ully – Arniel – Crandall

Cox – Martin – Sanford

Waller – Busch – Alderson

Brandt – Davies – Barrow

Mosey – Crawford

Rymsha – Donaghey

Batch – Richardson

Bowns

Wall