Homecoming Weekend Review

League Record So Far; 6 – 1 – 0, 12pts, 1st Place

Cup Record So Far; 2 – 1 – 1, 5pts, 5th Place

CARDIFF, WALES – It was a weekend to remember for those visiting from Calgary and across North America to join the owners, their families and the players own in tow, combining three games off the bounce, lots of fun, madness and goals to celebrate.

The weekend ended with a regulation defeat in the cup for the first time this campaign in a fraught and frustrating night on the road to Nottingham, in-between two home games in the league, where max points were earned, along with 11 goals scored, not to mention a certain GOAT tying an EIHL All-Time Record.

Here is how the weekend shaped up;

Home vs Flyers (League)

This game started with a bang as O’Brien found twine after 50s, sending the home crowd wild. It was a beautiful wrister, sniped top bin past Owen. He was ready for it. Owen however, caught napping.

This is where you would fully expect the night to turn into a proverbial gong show, especially after the visitors latest rout at home to Giants.

However ending the first at level to 1, the feeling was that it would only be a matter of time before things would get cooking. Sure enough it did.

This also meant Bowns was still searching for his first shutout this season, probably the best goalie in the league to not have one so far.

The gates opened for the home team, as Davies and Sanford found ways to put the puck in the basket, with one at a hard angle, that Owen would definitely want back. It sneaked in back door, to the elation of the Welsh star, earning him a MOTM award on the night.

Flyers managed to answer back eventually, on the PP, despite it being a measly 8.3% leading into this game, this was all she wrote for the visitors who battled hard to play with pride and offer something to their travelling fans.

Eventually in the third, the writing that was on the wall illuminated as the fifth went past Owen, to the thunderous chant that roared on to the delight of the visiting friends and families of the home team.

Four players had multi-point nights, including the Goat with 2 apples, Captain Mark Richardson was involved offensively throughout, earning the same. Davies had a wonderful brace of goals and Sanford had two goals and an assist on the night.

Brandt also started his first game back with a bang, including an apple on Davies’ first of the night. GB veteran Brett Perlini started a point streak this weekend with a helper as well.

The depth was well and truly showing offensively.

Road vs Panthers (Cup)

This was a game that left some more food for thought, as it was the first time the road team was 0 and three before any response this season.

From puck drops, blatant missed calls, chippy play and terrible decisions to give penalties to non-offending players, this was a night of frustration, from the get go.

The travelling fans knew of the delayed face-off, the expected reason was traffic, however learning much later there was a blown out tyre, it seems the writing for this was pre-determined.

A slashing penalty by Busch gifted the home team a perfect start, as they capitalised to take the lead, then immediately doubled up in the following play, to put the pressure heavy on the road team.

It was a play of frustration as face-offs were continually delayed, the road team earning the rap for it and physicality was getting to the home team, much to the fans dismay, as they realised hockey is indeed a contact sport.

They started the second frame on the PP again, but eventually Devil started getting into a groove, until yet another breakdown in ability to simply drop a puck lead to a confrontation between players.

Brandt was deemed the one to call despite taking some slashes, which the Panthers again scored on to make it 3 zip mid way through the game.

An easy to spot elbow to the head on Reid Duke was incredibly missed by the linesman who watched the collision, looked back twice and then looked like a deer in headlights when it was eventually blown.

Astoundingly the call was washed off, to which MacWilliam, who rightfully took exception to the collision sat for roughing instead.

Eventually, the good guys got on the board, with a goal by Perlini, Duke and O’Brien taking the helpers. From that moment onwards, momentum was firmly with the road team.

Sanford got a deft goal to take the game within one, assist by the goat and another by O’brien, but even with the goalie pulled, it wasn’t to be as relief turned to elation for the home crowd, who unsportingly booed the road team off the ice.

Throughout the game, much was made of the face-offs, as this has been building for the last few weeks, even both teams and fans were rightfully getting fed up with the situation.

This didn’t help players Duke and Busch, who seemed to get more frustrated with their own game as the night went on, body language noticeably off, with the wrong decisions being made at key times.

The end of the game painted a different story. Despite going three down before a reply, the road team dominated with offensive efforts, 66 shots vs 42, with 38 on net against 26.

Ryan Bednard was a stud in net. However, the defence was caught flat footed quite often and with play so narrow and passes very slow, the dryer ice of the Motorpoint left the road teams skates ‘stuck in the mud’ as the flow wasn’t quite there.

For a cup game, it wasn’t the end of the world, with better preparation and circumstances, including appropriate level officials, this game would have been night and day in difference.

Panthers held on for that win and beyond being able to finish on their power plays, this was a game that Devils lost from trying too much, instead of controlling the pace and build through the phases and possession.

It most certainly was not lost due one penalty being taken by any particular player, if that card is being played, use the right one. The slash in the first that created the double tap, this was it.

Post-game, thoughts rightfully went to who would start where for the next game, where Dundee were on a high from taking two points in Guildford.

Again, O’Brien – Martin – Sanford continued to produce. However, the lines stayed the same. For me, it was redemption night for Duke and Busch and boy did they play hockey.

Home vs Stars (League)

The final game of the homecoming weekend was a special night for a lot of reasons. Not only were Stars hit for six, not only was it max points for the league, not only was it another fun filled night for all involved, it was also a game where the Goat levelled the import all time points record.

It was another game where on the scoreboard, the depth shone through as sure indicator to any doubters of what this team is made of.

6 different goal scorers and the Goat didn’t even put up a point until the last marker went in. Once again, Bowns’ shutout bid continues for another week, as when Stars equalised, it was almost immediately after going ahead, hopefully not a theme.

The best thing that did happen was the counter punch to restore the lead then skate away with the game.

Duggan found the back of the net in spectacular fashion, after Perlini opened the books. Three Brit scorers on the weekend is a great return.

Busch and Duke went home with multi-point nights, Busch’s goal making it 5 past after he selflessly fed Kohen Olischefski right in front of his family to strike home on a beaut of a shot.

MacDonald grabbed a goal and a helper as well as Sanford extending his points return as well.

Who is Hot

Sanford has 8 points in his L5GP in the league, 9 from 6 in total and 5 from 3 in the cup. 14 points from 9GP overall just shows why he is considered one of the best forwards recruited in recent years.

Even with the goals against, Bowns has still locked down terrific stats, of course, Devils have played more league games, but it is good to see the foundations built strong.

In all games splayed so far (11) Zach O’Brien has 8 points in league and 7 in CC. 15 points from 11GP is a brilliant return in the early season, where he seems to have really settled and gelled with the Sanford and Martin.

The Goat Line if you will.

Back to MacDonald, he is responsible for some incredible goals that is indicative of the quality of roster that has been signed this season. From silky backhands, unreal tips and flush snipes, he has shown a catalogue of scoring that leaves him as someone you cannot take your eye off.

His read of the game is second to none, with incredible sight and can line up and receive stretch passes with brilliant finesse, then his work rate to keep the puck moving or turn it back over just helps to add that intensity coach Russell demands and expects from his players.

Like O’Brien, in the league he is 8 points from 7GP and 6 from 4 in the CC. Just one point off the overall leader, showing just how fearsome this team has become of late.

Which is incredible as they are still short on players, with Mosey, Donaghey, Carruth and Shinkaruk still out.

Coming Up, Morning Chirps, Midweek Mailbag, Fan Vote and Episode #25 of the EIHL Face-Off Podcast