Challenge Cup Round Up

CARDIFF, WALES – The Devils withered and slipped to an early knockout round exit to Glasgow Clan, as the travel weary home side couldn’t muster the energy or ambition to close out the round and advance through.

Congratulations are in order for the Clan, who inflicted the South Wales clubs first defeat to Scottish opposition this season, in a game where it meant double, as they also advanced by playing a tightly checked game and by taking their chances.

On the run up to this game, the home team had a much better campaign overall compared to last seasons dismal effort, by qualifying top seed in their group, 3rd overall and made a come back in the first leg, to set up hat should have been a straightforward home tie.

36 goals were scored, conceding 22, collecting 12 points for 6 ROW and taking a 75% win rate into this round. Contrast that to their opponents, who had a 33% win rate, scoring 15 and conceding 21, the stats should have favoured the Devils.

Clan also had a contrasting PP compared to their league, just 12.5%, however they did boast an 80% PK record and it showed in the final knockout game as Devils struggled to generate shots all night, leaving many to feel frustrated at their efforts.

One sublimed highlight from the short lived CC campaign was Joshua Waller being their top scorer (7). This was however equally contrasted with TOI for Sam Duggan, who amassed just 08:52 over 8 CC games. Bayley Harewood made 3 appearances during this CC season, notching 07:14.

You would think both were on 2-way contracts, but one is a 5 year Alternate captain.

Out of the 10 games played, Riley Brandt (6) can hold his head high, having a career season, doubling his points haul over 3rd liner Tyler Busch (3), Brandt also had the 3rd most blocked shots, also 6, just after D-men, Donaghey and Richardson, the former having 10.

Returning to Duggan dilemma of ice time and selection, Pietroniro played 3 games less and still wracked up more ice time, with 09:08 and spending a considerable amount of it taking PIMS (32), the most on the team.

Jamie Arniel lead in SOG during the CC campaign, tied with Crawford for 29. Arniel also had 49 shot attempts, however was only able to score 7 points, whereas Crawford was joint top with Cox on 12. Arniel also recorded the teams only SHG during the tournament.

Crow lead the TOI column with 23:20 and sat for the 2nd most in the box with 12 PIMS. He had the highest +/- (10), which is to be expected for his TOI and offensive production, of which he was third most active.

Arniel also won 60 face-offs, third overall, this is where Busch earns his money, taking 75 FOW. Most face-offs were lost however over the course of the CC campaign, only Justin Crandall (12 FOW over 8 FOL) had a positive result, the rest took the odd one or two.

There was 4 PPG scorers, Brandon Alderson (2), Cole Sanford, Joshua Waller and Tyler Busch, all at 1 each. 5 PPGS from 26 power plays, resulting in a 19.23% success rate, 2nd in their group, with 2 more penalties earned.

Despite the shock exit, goal tending was still sublime. Bowns lead the way for most of it during the short lived campaign with a good SV% at 92.40 and a 2.29GAA and ended in the top three after 6 or more games played.

What Now?

Now the CC has ended, this would be a time of reflection for the squad, who probably felt a full sweep was on the cards with how their season was quietly building.

What could have been done more, particularly from November onwards was more squad rotation, especially with the fixtures, tournaments and injuries/suspensions stacking up. This left out the extras that were meant to be the key to the rotation and effectively an alternate captain being rendered surplus.

Having a bare minimum squad approach seems smart when it is explained that there will be two players scratched to improve competition, but when two or more players drop due the aforementioned, this is where it will make or break a team. Add in a heavy fixture load, at almost a game every other day over along stretch, the season takes its toll.

It also raised questions on players futures. The CC is a perfect opportunity to test new systems and rotate players to maximise energy levels and work out the odds and ends. If something isn’t working with a player or two, this early in the season is the time to make those decisions.

Brandon Alderson arriving was additional help, which created a selection headache for the forwards. He also stacked on his presence by going a point a game – this added to the migraine of what can be done for the 4th liners.

Even with that, there were times where two or more players were out, which pressed the need for some players to get more ice time. Whilst they were eventually selected and dressed, games were predominantly played with the top 6. Hopefully this can be addressed.

This is because the fixtures are still going to flow in thick and fast, with Conti around the corner as well as a busy Christmas period, even without the CC now, a grace saved of only 3 games, surely more legs can be added to the roster?

As for those whom have languished of late, now is the time for the big time decisions to be made, as right now, the season matters and all lines would need to be used. A job I am glad that isn’t mine.

Power-Kill?

Beyond that, the power play while effective in the league, once again floundered. Missing the likes of Barrow and Martin were absolutely felt. Hopefully pushing on, this will improve as it has been decent so far this year with 10 PPGs already.

30 were scored last season in the league, whereas the target of recent seasons would be to best the 21/22 campaign that set 49 PPGS.