Triple Header Weekend Preview

League Record So Far; 4 – 1 – 0, 8pts, 1st Place

CARDIFF, WALES – This weekend has many events going on for the Devils and their fanbase, as a flood of friends, family and the ownership group descend upon the Welsh Capital for their 10th anniversary homecoming tour.

This will mean a huge amount of fans on the road to Nottingham, as well as boisterous, stampede style shenanigans at home, as they all hope the team put on a show for all involved.

First up is the struggling Fife Flyers, who got decimated with ease at home mid week before travelling to the bay for tonights match up.

Like the home team, they carry some injuries, so for a professional club, this shouldn’t be a focus, when league points are on the line.

You can catch up with the new Morning Chirps series for EIHL Face-Off Podcast hosts, as we broke down the game vs Giants here; https://hockeysteve.co.uk/2024/10/10/morning-chirps-with-eihl-face-off/

Tale of the Tape vs Flyers

They are the only other team in the league so far this season that has played 5 times for the regular slate, currently 9th with just one win.

They haven’t been having the best of times at the back, conceding 22 already in league play, scoring just 11. Whereas Devils are at 15:8 with an 80% win rate.

In each of the last 5GP, the contrasts are perfect opposites in records, but it’s the scoring depth and goal tending that tells the story.

Devils have a GFA at 3 per game, with Flyers at 2.2 in the league. Ben Bowns has a GAA of 1.60. That is mouth watering for tendy fans.

In terms of GAA overall between the teams, Devils have the aforementioned with Flyers at 4.4 GAA and Owen at 4.21 overall.

Special Teams

The special teams also paint a vivid picture of what to expect. On the power play, Devils hold a respectable 22.22%, compared to Flyers at a league 2nd worst of 8.3%. It isn’t even funny. Panthers are only behind them after 2GP in league with zero on the PP, so hardly a true comparison.

The PK is where Flyers seem to have their greatest strength. 80% so far this season in the league compared to the good guys at 76.9%. Both currently sit in the bottom half of the form table in that area.

Discipline

Discipline was raised before the game vs Flames last Sunday, where a heavily depleted and travel weary Devils outfit overrun their hosts 3:2, with the GWG coming from a late too many men call. In terms of PIM/Game, Devils and Flyers seem to be comfortable bed fellows, sitting mudpack with 6.4 to 6.8 PIM/G respectively.

With returning players that picked up knocks in Belfast and the fan favourite Riley Brandt, this game should have a lot of pep about it.

What To Expect vs Panthers

Panthers currently lead their group with 11 points from 7GP, with three of the Last 5GP going to extra hockey, one for Devils also settled in OT.

Usually this is a place of misery, despair and hopelessness for the Devils fans, but last two games at the Motorpoint arena have brought elated success, including the coveted and highly prestigious (to Evan Mosey) Aladdin Cup.

This will be a key test against one of the form teams in the early campaign, in the middle slate of the triple header weekend.

Panthers can score goals, 24 so far in 7GP, so 3.42 goals per game is to be expected. They do leak goals, but have a good tandem with Rok and Bednard, conceding 18 between them.

Devils have only been taken to OT just once so far in the early season, so this is as big a test for the Panthers as it is for the road team.

Special Teams

Panthers command an incredible 88.9% PK record in CC so far, making them hard to break down as well as score on, particularly when Bednard is on form, currently the best in their group and league overall in the cup.

They sit joint third overall on the PP with Devils at 26.67%, meaning they can also cause issues when they get the right set up and looks.

Discipline

Conversely where discipline is concerned, Devils sit bottom of this table in the cup with 22.33 PIM/Game, with Panthers near the top at 8.86 PIM/Game.

Of course, there are factors to understand, with some games needing particulars to be sorted out, thanks to reckless plays drawing in some scuffs. On the whole, the PK records are again at opposite ends, Devils 9th at 69.23%.

Staying out of the box is key.

It has been a successful start for both teams, so this game has more to it than just another ill-scheduled and planned game in the CC. Momentum will carry these teams from the result, so it is a crucial game.

Weekend Finale vs Stars

Another team that has struggled so far whilst expecting so much in optimism, has been the visiting Stars. Dundee started hot and cold in the Cup then have seemed to flat line since.

6 game losing streak across all competitions has been hard to stomach for the organisation, amongst off ice issues and concerns, it has not been the ideal start.

They are yet to pick up a league win, with most of their early season dealing with CC action, they play Flames first on the road before travelling to the Welsh Capital to finish off their own much travelled weekend.

Only playing half the fixtures compared to Scots rivals Clan, they have the same returns at 6:11 in GF:GA so far, yet in their CC group, despite few games left, they could still pull something out of the bag.

The road to that begins this weekend, however, the way it would be determined will depend on the games prior for both teams to set that tone.

Of course, Devils are going for a perfect weekend to up the ante on the league and establish themselves as the team to beat, Stars are desperate for a change in fortunes.

Like Panthers, after 2GP in the league, they have a 100% PK record, with the bare minimum to be expected on the PP at 20%. How these totals change before Sundays game is of course unknown, but they [Stars] carry a healthy face-off % at 60.6 and 3.OO GFA, but GAA sits at 5.50.

Ones to Watch

Domineco Alberga is the typical diamond in the rough for Stars, as he posts 12 points from 10GP in all competitions, so he is worth noting for their one to watch.

Kristoff Kontos has been on an absolute heater of late for the Panthers, posting 9 points from 6GP for his team, so along with the usual suspects of Henbrant, Roy and former Pete Russell player, Sam Herr, leaving this guy to it in the slot is a big mistake.

Zach O’Brien has been quietly going about his business so far this season, with a lot of focus on Sanford since his return and MacDonald making some deft plays and finishes, but in the league he leads in points (7) with 12 overall from 8GP.

Expected Line Up for Flyers Friday 11/10/24

With returnees MacWilliam, Olischefski and Brandt announced, this relieves pressure on an injury ridden squad in the early season. How they fit is anyones guess as each line produces, no matter how they are put together.

Last Sundays unexpected win vs Flames saw the introduction of a top line I had expected since Sanford was announced, will they be kept together or will PR revert to the last few games of the same line up?

I hope for the former, stack those lines, build that lead and collect the pay checks in May.

Sanford – Martin – O’Brien

Barrow – Olischefski – Busch

Perlini – Duke – MacDonald

Brandt – Duggan – Harewood (Davies if not called up)

MacWilliam – Gourley

Batch – Fournier

Richardson – Davies (if 2-way called up)

Bowns

Duve

Also on the night, Block 13 invites the entire arena to join on ‘Stampede Night’ to celebrate 10 years of ownership in style with the influx of the organisations’ family and friends for the weekend.