Post-Game Review vs Blaze; 5 Key Observations

League Record So Far; 23 – 9 – 1, 47pts, 2nd Place

It was a Pride Night that brought along some controversy, last minute changes, panic and a typical game that seemed out of reach, always being chased, yet the character of the team pulled it through, to round off an affair that was buoyant and fun.

The first thing that went wrong was the parking, by a bizarre and inept move from the buildings neighbours to secure some space for a bunch of swimmers. Then, the chaos in the dark around the fondly referred too Lake Vindico, it was an effort to just reach the arena.

By no means was this a fault of the club, just a hand they had to deal with during a week of Olympic Qualifiers, a special themed night and lots of hockey to organise. Upon reaching the line of waiting fans, already decked out in their best to represent support and love for the Pride movement, the news came in.

Blaze were not informed of the match night jersey change from home to white – so, in the midst of what has to be a very frantic week for the club, they had to pull the jerseys off after warm ups instead and change to their black threads.

Disaster.

In all fairness to both organisations, Devils put their hands up firmly to accept responsibility, which is great to see from them. Luckily, it didn’t dampen the overall mood.

The other, was a near matched disaster for their standing Block, as until moments before puck drop and pre-game formalities, their new Pride flag went walkies. The one night it was definitely needed to be front line and centre. Things happen in threes right?

Picture Credit; James Assinder.

Luckily it was found, adorned and flown. The third disaster that came was how the game started for the team, but would this also be averted?

1. Focus Lapsed, Chances Taken

It took just 49s for Blaze to blast the puck through Wall and get the night underway, where both teams were depleted due to International duties and last minute changes.

An extremely poor line change lead to former Devil Blake Thompson being gifted a sheet of ice, with so much space, he simply strode into the zone and cracked off a zinger to the net. 1-0 Blaze and they weren’t done yet.

Following this, a goal was ruled off for high sticks, then following a breakaway OMR, Wall somehow stopped what would have been a well worked Blaze second goal. Again, energy and focus falling behind for the men in black on the opening frame.

Not too long after, a rare period of zonal pressure for the visitors ended with its rewards, a point blast for a tip past Wall made it 2 zip.

7s into the third, Blaze restored their 2 goal lead, but this was when things got interesting.

2. Goal Sanford Gets Going

Within the first 5 minutes of the second frame, the home team started to find their flow again, which resulted in a great drive to net by Sanford, who deked his way through the Blaze defence and managed to sneak the puck 5 hole under former net minder Kozun, to finally get the team on the board.

This started and ended the Devils goal scoring on the night, Sanford taking two lamps for the night. Ironically, the first was created by the old Cox – Martin – Sanford line. Food for though there.

3. Third Period Comeback

Barrow returned to the goal column and got his back to within one again, then was quickly followed up by a brilliant effort from Busch after they finally pulled the goalie east to west and left the net open for a neat put away, finally his goal counted and the teams were level.

In the dying minutes of the game, it was well and truly tilted by then, with the possession leaning heavily towards the good guys, where a final scramble in front of the visitor net landed the puck for Martin to chip over an overworked Kozun for the go ahead goal, the first time they earned a lead that night.

Finally, with just 1 second left, Sanford finished things off with the empty netter to secure the win to end a game that went back and forth, with no real on ice organisation between either side, as it felt like both were trying to find the handle to get things going.

4. Character Wins

Whether they drop a good lead or comeback from a few down, one thing that has been a foundation to this group is the never say die attitude. Yes there have been some poor games, a long season will have them inevitably, however, more often than not, they do battle back.

This was a game that ultimately felt retrospective to the Lord-era, where it was pretty passive for 40 minutes, then, they click in the third and get rocking.

That comeback helped the squad maintain their latest form, going 8 – 0 – 2 in L10GP and heading to Manchester 8 unbeaten.

5. Intensity

Additionally to that, they were relentless, even if it didn’t feel like the usual pace. It was called for after 40 minutes, to be more intense, however toward the end of the 2nd frame, the visitors looked visibly gassed.

This lead to more mistakes defensively and the top 6 forwards having more space, better passing options and the forecheck helped to pile on pressure. That ultimately came in the form of high danger chances, where Devils had 3 converted from 8 during the game, the Blaze also had theirs, 4 overall but nothing converted.

Beyond The Ice – Stats Breakdowns

Cole Sanford

Stat night for Sanford, who hit 100 EIHL goals in all comps (League, Cup, Playoffs) – a huge moment for him and the club. There are plenty left. With a game less than Spencer Naas, he joint-leads the league currently with 23 lamp lighters. 

For his league efforts, he sits 3 points shy from 150 in regular season and just 10 games overall for 200 in a Devils jersey in all competitions.

For assists overall, hit has 10 helpers until his next milestone for that category, 100, which is definitely achievable this season.

Finally, he is 1 point from 200 as a Devil in all competitions.

Marcus Crawford

Crawford is another who has been stacking some points from day one and is not a player to be dismissed in any context. Where he has more to improve defensively, he contributes heavily the other end of the ice, so for an out and out OFD, he does the business and then some.

After all, he is the EIHL DOTY for a reason.

He currently has 125 points in all Devils competitions from 123GP. Another good point per game pace. In all EIHL comps, his helpers have helped him lead the way, sitting 2nd overall in points (39) in the league and leads the league in apples with 37.

He has 85 assists in regular season assists, 99 overall, so 1 shy of a century of helpers across all EIHL competitions.

He also has 4 points to go for 100 in regular season tallies.

Trevor Cox

Already at 207 points in all Devils competitions, he sits 4 shy from 150 helpers overall in the same capacity. He currently needs 8 more games as a Devils to secure his second century inside 3 seasons for the Welsh outfit, plus there is surely more to come.

Although he is 24 games shy from 200 in the EIHL overall and 14 left for 150 in regular season, there is plenty of opportunity for him to grab 12 more helpers for that 150 marker in all EIHL competitions.

In all EIHL competitions, he needs just 4 points for 200.

Justin Crandall

He already has 154 points as a Devil overall, with 108 helpers along the way in all competitions in a Devils jersey, he needs just 2 games to reach his second century for the club.

Along the way, he will need just 4 more goals for 50 as a Devil, so hopefully this can be achieved during the rest of the campaign, where currently he needs 10 more games in regular season for 150GP.

He is also 20 games shy for 200 in all EIHL competitions, with 22 helpers needed in regular action for 100, even though he has 101 EIHL apples overall. Plenty to go for the man that has been banging the drum all season for his team to keep chipping away.

Joshua Waller

Despite his injury, he would have been representing GB this week, however it is important to note his Devils contribution so far. He currently needs as a Devil, 3 points for 100, 1 goal for 50 and 2 assists for 50 respectively in all Devils competitions.

He was recently celebrated for EIHL overall, as a Devil, he is 32 games shy from 150 in all EIHL competitions, he needs 7 helpers to reach 50 in the EIHL overall in the Devils colours. For goals, he requires 15 to go in the same capacity.

Projected Points in Regular Season

Sanford – 58 Points

Crawford – 65 points

Cox – 57 points

Crandall – 34 Points

Waller – 26 points