Post-Game Review vs Flames; Key Observations

League Record So Far; 19 – 1 – 9, 39pts, 3rd Place

Regular Season Series; 2:2

CARDIFF, WALES – Devils add to their previous 4 point weekend with a clinical, dominant performance, to blank their visitors 4 zip in a great game of hockey at the Vindico Arena.

In back to back games against the Flames, the good guys came away with maximum points, this time without the frills of a comeback or tense efforts to get back into.

This was a game when things went right for the home team, outplaying their opponents who looked deflated and out of step for the entire 60 minutes, going 2:2 so far against them in their league series.

1. Power Play on Point

The special teams came up trumps throughout the game in their own rights, however what was very special to see was the effectiveness of the Devils power play, especially following a game when the same opponent was just as lethal.

A contentious point for most fans, the game brought their heavily focused on unit to 100% on the night, thanks to a Donaghey PPG double.

The set up was delicious, having Bode Wilde joining him instead of usually one D-man, with constant movement across the blue line to the danger areas, the Flames couldn’t contain them enough and they made it count each time.

2. Special Team Success

As stated, the special teams in their own right made the game into what it was, with a prolonged spate of penalties to deal with, they shut down the Flames power play and by the time the Devils earned a man advantage, they capitalised immediately.

This set the tone for the night but also put the marker on the game, with focus on the details being a key aspect from both units.

3. Benny Bowns is Magic

Bowns put on a performance of old, yet one for the ages again, who should be immensely proud of his performance between the pipes.

Making 35 saves, quite a few where he’d had no right making, kept his team in the game, on the front foot and slowly deflated the spirit from his opponents as it seemed everything would go in at the opposite net, yet nothing would go in against him.

A stoic, sometimes flashy (well earned) and utterly incredible night for Bowns, who picked up the MOTM, to the delight and vocal support from the fans.

4. Multi-Point Nights

Donaghey’s brace of PPG’s earned him a contention for MOTM, however the shutout performance took that offering and deservedly so.

Other multi-point games went to Bode Wilde, Cole Ully and Trevor Cox, all three collecting a brace of apples.

All scorers have now started to get close to a point per game this month, with two competitions of hockey being played, Arniel (10) still leads in points so far in January, however Crow and Ully both a point shy (9), with Wilde and Sanford (7) catching up after 8GP so far in January.

5. Wagon Reforming?

That win put the team at 4 from 4 since their capitulation against the league leaders prior to Continental Cup duty, making it 4 – 0 – 1 in the L5GP.

If they could round off the weekend with a road win at Fife, then that would be an official wagon status reset for the club, who are determined to get back on track and go to the last wire to make it a successful season.

In those L5GP, they have scored 21 goals, conceding 14, with a shootout win, shutout win, making an average of 4.2 goals for, 2.8 goals against. So, it is going in the right direction as they are starting to score for fun once again, whilst keeping a lid on the goals being conceded.

Getting on the right track for this weekend will be perfect prep going into Belfast next weekend for the eagerly awaited double header.

Three Stars from the game last night;