Devils Fall in Belfast; 5 Key Takeaways

Final; 3:1 Belfast Giants

Devils opened the scoring in the first period of what was their only offensively competitive display over the 60 minutes, until Giants capitalised first on pressure, luck then and empty netter.

Here are my key takeaways from the road game in Belfast;

1. Bowns Brilliant, but Not Enough

Ben Bowns brought the old and cliched saying, ‘he stood on his head’ into full discourse tonight, as for those who travelled for the game and those watching on the stream would doubtlessly talk about for days to come.

He was again near faultless in net. Still searching for that elusive shutout, probably the most well earned so far, succumbing to the pressure built around him in the third frame.

He was the veritable difference between the two as Devils failed to get their offensive depth into the game, allowing the Giants to work behind them, skate through them and launch shots at their goalie.

As mentioned before, tandems are crucial. McCollum was in the opposing net, who had a quieter night, but the test truly belonged to Bowns. He can hang, but can’t be hung out to dry.

Simple zone clearances, passes, recoveries and puck management allowed the turn overs, giveaways and break aways to open up the charge against the visitors.

Bowns managed 29 saves in a 3:1 game that finished at 93.55 SV%. He still rules the roost for goalies, but was incredibly let down by sloppy play in front of him.

In contrast, McCollum done well with what was in front of him, making 19 saves, eventually taking a break to watch ahead for the final frame, according to the intrepid, official EIHL stats team, see below.

2. More Injury Worries Loom Ahead

It is said Brandt is near to returning, Shinkaruk not far off and Mosey with a hairline rib fracture. The await for the hunter gatherer to open his EIHL account proper is drawing near, let alone the back to back fan favourite. The team have ticked over, but signs are showing.

MacWilliam once again exited the game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury from a hit in the second. Only last week did he get some rest after taking a knock. the 34 year old is a big presence and kept the Giants honest when he was out there.

Olischefski has also apparently taken up a knock, but cannot verify. It will be interesting to see who ices tomorrow at Flames, as they won’t go easy after falling to Blaze in the Cup this evening.

Whether this should be read into regarding the result is subjective to the the person making the thought or point, however, it does has its part to play.

A full team or a few extra, healthy bodies, would have made a for a different game entirely, but you plan and play with what you have, with what is in front of you.

3. Third Week Rolling Same Lines, Momentum Slips

With the injuries already accounted for at the start of the season, it was understandable that line flexibility and options would be limited.

With Mosey dropping too, this put Batch back to D and 3 full line were left.

Still no call up for Harewood, despite the purpose of the 2-way contract existing, when others use across their competitions, it has been the same lines for the last several games.

Across those games, the margins have been decreasing, with two games dropped.

Although games between teams coached by GB colleagues won’t become barn stormers, there was still some flexibility with the cards left in the deck.

A line of O’Brien – Martin – Sanford is too good to pass up. They were quiet on the night.

Perlini is yet to make any form of announcement that he is playing on one of the most elite clubs in the league.

Putting him on the 4th line with the other Brits would make sense to create a top and fourth line of energetic grinders, that can pound teams on the forecheck and be ruthless off the puck.

With the aforementioned line, having a utility pair like Duke and MacDonald for finesse, speed, skill and special teams could fill the gaps for the middle deck, dependant on the system needed, whether it starts as a defensive play or from the OZ dots.

4. Uncharacteristic Puck Play Created Problems Defensively

It came as no surprise to anyone that Giants would earn themselves a goal. It was due in the second period.

It did come however, midway through the third and for good reason.

There was nearly 50% of their [Giants] chances from the mid to high danger areas, which reflected their play with the puck.

This team is highly skilled. The last you should expect to see is the team pushing the puck into the neutral zone, instead of timing a pass, wheeling back to create space or take that extra couple of seconds to make a smarter play.

There was plenty of chipping into the zone along the boards, but no one to meet the puck or battle for it. This is a hallmark of the team. Ryan Barrow has single-handedly destroyed the Storm in this area.

This was a case of dump, wheel around, reset, turnover, fumble through, chip over, get a change and repeat.

This allowed Giants to eventually set up, become more direct, find more dynamic plays and keep the puck aimed at Bowns.

Whilst the feeble crowd remained silent with tension and some frustration from the officials opting to let the game to be played, their team grew and grew as the Devils sank further and further into their defensive box.

This eventually came in the latter part of the final frame, where the body was played instead of staying with a man, Bowns left to scramble, eventually finding the puck being shoved in against his own pads. The game was then sealed with an empty netter.

Too little, far too late for making a change.

5. Special Teams Switch for Night of Frustration

It was classic switch play. Both teams boasted a competitive PP average and an abysmal PK score.

Tonight, with two penalties each, left their PK at maximum %, the power play, which should have been due a goal, left searching.

This came three fold.

One; quality goal tending. Both goalies had to put in work across these phases of play, with the officials making a good game from a cagey, chess like game of cat and mouse, waiting for that moment to capitalise on.

They didn’t disappoint, from. a PK point of view.

Two; Quality defensive play, which helped to box out and snuff out any form of attack, which aided for most parts on the PK.

It became a typical GB training grind, where they all know each other, familiar with their tendencies and that lead to less and less offensive pressure.

Three; Lack of creativity from the front. Across both benches, there are specialists and finishers. Barraga’s Brace aside, this is where those types of players come to shine. Not tonight.

That nouse to take the bull by the horns didn’t show up on the night, as both teams looked to attack each other, but leave any danger.

This did lead to some breakaway changes, even short handed, however, that focus clearly wasn’t present, where at the start of the season, those breakaways would be highly tipped to go in.

Here are tonights three stars;

Barriga’s brace was enough to claim the tilt for his team this weekend, a deserved payoff for a lot of effort.

Bowns took 2nd overall for his reliance between the pipes whilst under a lot of pressure, if he doesn’t make save of the week after this weekend, it is official, the EIHL hates the Devils.

Lake, for me took the third slot. Some might say it could have gone to McCollum, but overall he was solid, a presence everywhere, dominated on the dots and those little plays and battles can sometimes make the biggest difference. A terrific performance from him.