Post-Game Review vs Steelers; 10 Key Observations

League Record So Far; 28 – 1 – 10, 57pts, 2nd Place

CARDIFF, WALES – It was a night to remember for the club and the fans, as one of the most exhilarating, entertaining and engrossing games took place in a perfect battle of the top teams in the EIHL right now.

Here are my 10 key observations from the game;

1. The Devils took on the best team in the league following a snapped 12 game win streak, to restore pride, as well as prove themselves to be worthy against anyone. The feat also came with an added bonus, by snapping the visitors own 10 game streak.

2. The Devils gave as good as they got in a fantastic opening frame, where the play went end to end, both teams goalies and defences helping to slow down play, then hit the stretch pass to counter and keep things moving, Steelers edged the SOG 12:8 but the score was tied 1 each.

3. Cormier got the night going with a clutch goal off a rebound, however minutes later, Arniel came up with the goods to level the play, adding his 6th in the L5GP, with a multi point night, back to back games with 2 points, 3 from the last four totalling for 7 points in the last 5 game stretch.

4. The best key moments of this game was during the penalties. In the last 5 minutes of the opening frame, the Devils had to answer for two penalties, resulting on a 5v3 PK, putting their hard work under their biggest test.

Killing this changed the landscape of the game. Where the Devils grew in confidence and probably for the first time this season, Steelers looked hesitant.

5. The second dance really opened the game up, where the good guys started to generate more offensively, with the visitors chances opening from breaks of play and counter opportunities. Bowns was equal to these the entire night, putting up 40 saves.

6. The shot clock ticked over nicely, as the home team notched 18:14 during that 20, but it was in the 8th minute from an OZ draw, won by Arniel, off the boards to a Donaghey clapbomb to the slot, tipped graciously by Ryan Barrow to put his team in the lead.

Goal of the week contender, without discussion.

7. The third frame is where the pushback inevitably came, however, despite the visitors outshooting the home team 15:7, each shut down, parry, flash of the leather, saw Devils shoulders broaden and their opponents sink and become deflated. Each loose puck was relentlessly hunted down, the forecheck worked as hard as the back check.

8. Barrow delights most nights, but last night he was one of the most effective players out there. His line contributed for 3 of the 4 goals, with Barrow also on the ice for 3 of them. His own tip in goal capped off a great game for him, as he lead the team with SOG (4). If not for Bowns, a sure candidate for MOTM.

9. Steelers gained the advantage for SOG overall (41:33) in the battle, largely thanks to the 2 man advantage at the end of the first.

Where they are usually clinical in this area, shots in the high danger areas swayed overwhelmingly toward the good guys at 9:1, with an expected goals outcome at 2.90 xG for the home team, where the visitors only managed 0.21 in the high danger zone.

This carried over into where the business was made, as Bowns, making 40 saves for a 97.56 SV%, with a tireless approach to line defence, highlighted the edge Devils maintained.

10. Later on Sunday, they travel to Guildford to face the Flames who lost on the road in Manchester last night.

So whilst it is a good thing to bounce back against the league leaders and snapping their winning run in the process, Flames are a team to not count out and would be looking for their own bounce back too.

Usually this is a game where those who skate and drive the play more will win, so it is crucial the road legs won’t affect the feel good vibe amongst the squad as they travel to a tough place to keep their season moving along at the current standard they are building.

Last Nights Three Stars;