Preview vs Panthers

League Record So Far; 27 – 1 – 9, 55pts, 2nd Place

Devils are back on the road following a successful Scottish trip, ending their week with a full sporran of 6 points. There was no write ups due to illness and fatigue.

This game and week are crucial to the outcome of the season for the road guys, as they look to extend their run to 13 games straight, albeit against a team they have yet to beat this year. In the last 8 overall, they won just twice as they lost the season series 4-2.

Their L10GP has seen a lot of offense, with 48 goals scored against 26 conceded, so naturally, a 4.8GF record and a 2.8GAA.

Panthers have had much to be optimistic about, as their record has been improving of late. They have had 3 wins from their last 5GP, sitting 4th overall in the form table for that stint, but slowly clawing their way back up with a 4 point gap between them and 8th respectively.

They enjoy spoiling a Welsh party, so with all the factors thrown in, this is set up perfectly for a ruined day.

Beyond this game, Steelers travel to South Wales to face off against their rivals in a top table clash, so these are must win games not just for the Devils and their current record but for the league also.

Devils currently have the longest W run, but Steelers also boast a 10 game W streak, meaning that in spite of winning so much, the lead hasn’t been squandered. Yet.

So, this game will have a lot of interest on it, not just for the giggles but also for the title race, because if results go Steelers way, this will speed up the process of their expected triumph.

A win for Panthers will set them on their way for a close-season comeback as far as playoffs are concerned, an end result which is surely a main focus given events earlier this season.

After this game, they play Scottish minnows Glasgow Clan, so back to back wins for the home team will set them on that course spectacularly.

Much has been said for the Devils performances and season. It has been a mixed bag. Wins are wins after all, but more often than not, it is the manner of the win.

Every game is a must win, so now is the time to see what the team are really made of. Important games ahead, it must be said, but now is the time for maximum effort and focus.

Ones to Watch

Goal Sanford – Sanford leads both the team and league in goals scored (25), he is also 2nd overall for the team at 40, one behind Crawford. He is on 7 goals from L5GP.

Jamie Arniel – Floating under the radar, Arniel has been quietly stacking points and helping to drive the forecheck and keep his team honest and active during play. He also has 5 points in his L5GP.

Hugo Roy – Bolstered by the monster game against Flyers, where he had 4 points, he has notched 8 from his L5GP and is the Panthers joint top scorer with Michaud (34pts).

Expected Line Up vs Panthers

The last few games have seen the return of an old top line, but in all fairness with the revolving door of injuries and cover, this hasn’t affected the games too much.

Waller is out for the rest of the season, so has been placed on LTIR. Pietroniro should have been reactivated last week from his IR stint and it is unclear what is happening with Rymsha.

Cox – Martin – Sanford

Ully – Arniel – Barrow

Alderson – Busch – Crandall

Brandt – Davies – Duggan

Crawford – Mosey

Donaghey – Richardson

Wilde – Batch

Bowns

Wall

HS – Pietroniro

IR – Rymsha

LTIR – Waller