Pre-Season vs Panthers; Aladdin Cup Preview

It is the final home game of pre-season for the Devils and the squad is almost back together.

Results have been sporadic for the warm up phase before things officially get underway next week, with the squad being utilised for domestic and international duties.

On top of this, a couple of fan favourites have picked up injuries, with star goalie Mac Carruth and enigmatic forward Riley Brandt expected to be out for some time, Brett Perlini finally makes his start in home colours for the first time.

The rumour mill is also clamouring away, with former Devil, the 23/24 Coaches Player of the Year and well respected forward, Cole ‘Goal‘ Sanford abruptly departing DEL 2 outfit ESV Kaufbeuren this week has minds, lips and thumbs racing to bring him home or expected to sign elsewhere in the EIHL.

Panthers Head Coach Danny Stewart via http://www.panthers.co.uk

The last opponents of a jaded, underwhelming and quite disappointing schedule for pre-season come to town looking to get things under way, as they are surely going to be prowling around for a couple of wins to alleviate some pressure that is already on for Danny Stewart and his pack.

1 – 0 – 3 is their record so far, winning their last game against German side Lausitzer Füsche, former club of Devils favourite Jake Coughler (now at Flames), 7-2.

Panthers will score, 10 in the last 4GP, so this will be a sure test for both clubs who have big ambitions for the season ahead.

The results against Steelers have stirred some mixed feelings, as both camps were without players, although the good guys were also without their coach, leaving EIHL, Panthers, GB and Devils legend, rookie assistant coach Matthew Myers at the helm, in the deep end against an enemy looking to get their CHL campaign fully dialled in.

The biggest takeaways were that the 2-way rookies brought in to plug the gaps stepped up and for large parts, Steelers were quiet, handled and under the thumb. Experience eventually soared through, leaving both games with score-lines that looked far worse than what they should be.

Going into this game will be Devils’ 7th so far and Panthers 5th pre-season game. The return of the nearly full team and coaches will be a breath of fresh air around the building, as the club look to also finish on a high note going into the season proper.

2 – 0 – 4 is their record, losing their last 3 against their biggest rivals. Although pre-season doesn’t mean too much, expectations are always there. This is a heavily invested team. Results matter.

No Carruth and the return of GB number one, Ben Bowns will provide some comfort, although rookie 2way Tyler de la Bertouche is away on GB U20 duties, vs Solway Sharks in Dumfries, Scotland.

Maybe another loan from an opponent will be on the cards, in the form of 22 year old Nottingham lad, Luca Sheldon (Nottingham Lions/Panthers).

With Brandt nursing what is expected to be a wrist injury from last weekend, Bayley Harewood will no doubt slot into the 4th line with Davies and Duggan, as Harewood is having arguably his best spell in Devils colours, which would be hard for the coaching staff to miss.

Players to watch will be the inspirational Hunter Shinkaruk who simply cannot stop scoring, as well as Andrew MacWilliam. Both have been impressive so far, looking to be corner stone figures for the forward and defensive groups.

Hunter Shinkaruk in action via X/Cardiff Devils

Panthers have an exciting roster, with the return of Sam Herr, well known to the club and coach Pete Russell from their time at Ravensburg.

EIHL Face-Off favourite Didrik Henbrant will be a key player to look out for, once he is in a groove and near that net, things happen.

Currently the most listened too episode is the Cardiff Devils Review with guest Ollie Hampson, listen here – https://x.com/EIHLFaceOff/status/1832396685609144446

Of course, this weekend is an Aladdin Cup affair, so there is a little something on the line for the clubs as they face off against each other.

League predictions will be published during the week ahead before the Devils campaign officially gets underway vs Clan.

Additional notes to keep up to date in the EIHL; 24/25 Roster Regulations (https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/3944-roster-regulations-for-2024-25) – with official EIHL games reduced by 4 to 25 players, excluding injured reserve and 2ways. A longer grace period for injured players, increasing to 90 days from 28 previously. Injured players are not eligible to play again until the 90 days are up.

For 2ways, once they have iced 20 games, they will be registered as part of the overall roster.

A very good move by the league and will present some selection battles in the campaign ahead that should include more home-grown talent.

Already listened to the Devils review? Here is the latest episode with Chasing The Pucks Stephen Turton for part one of the EIHL Face-Off Season Preview https://x.com/EIHLFaceOff/status/1832410995215757730