Weekend Preview; Storm & Blaze

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

CARDIFF, WALES – Storm roll into town following a convincing win over fellow purple clad rivals, Glasgow Clan, with a 6-3 final outcome.

Prior to this game, they had a 50% win rate in the league so far, whilst boasting one of the best special teams in the early season.

That win lifted them to 3rd, setting up a good evening of hockey, in a place where they have so far been the only team to defeat the good guys, an OTW in the cup.

Both teams can boast some favourable story lines with the stats, as they have in the league at least, played the most, but how do they shape up?

Whilst going 3 – 2 – 0 in the league, Storm have managed to go 23:22 in the goals for and against column, with the home team so far at 26:11. A stark contrast in goal tending and defensive set ups, but both can score.

Going by their last game in the cup, a final of 6:5 in OT to the visitors, you just know there will be expectations of a lamp lighting night.

By The Averages

In their last stretch of 5GP in the league, Devils have gone 4 – 1 – 0, with 18 goals scored and 9 conceded. The score rate by average is 3.6GFA and 1.8GAA.

Considering Bowns’ GAA at 1.50, it will be a night where if he is dialled in, Storm will get frustrated. Currently, the top 3 in the league for points are Devils players, which should be the case.

Sanford, O’Brien and MacDonald have combined for 25 points between them. After last nights 4 goals performance, Grant Hebert joins this club with 8 points in 5GP. It was a great night for him and Ryan Hughes.

Both teams have 4 players each in the top 10 so far for points in the league.

For Storm in their last 5GP, they have more mixed results, but found Scottish opposition easier than others. They have a 4.6GFA (23) and 4.4GAA (22) in this stretch. With the aforementioned Devils players finding their groove, this will be a key test for the visitors indeed.

As already mentioned with their league form to date, last nights win over the clan put them up to 60% win rate, which they would want to carry into Cardiff with venom.

Early Season Rivalry

This will be the first meeting in the league proper, however they have met in the Cup, battling out on Friday nights in their respective barns, with Devils outscoring them 10:7 and taking 3 points from 4.

So far it is fair to suggest that the good guys have the upper hand, but this is hockey and more importantly, it is EIHL hockey. Anything can happen.

Their last contest saw some lack of discipline, including a suspension, as a breakdown in front of Weninger (literally) sent the visitors into a frenzy, with Loren Ellet coming off the worse end, taking a 3 gamer.

Similar to last season due to mitigating factors, this is a contest that has the air of a playoff rivalry between them.

Goals will be scored, hits will be thrown and you are almost certainly guaranteed some carpal thrown. There have been 23 power plays between the teams with 73PIMS given already.

Discipline is a huge factor, particularly this season as teams are more technically skilled throughout to capitalise on them.

Both teams in the league are good mid table right now in PIM/Game, 4th and 5th respectively. Across all EIHL comps, Devils have accrued 13.05 PIM/G, with the cup heavily influencing this overall stat (19.25) and Storm have gathered 11. 55 PIM/G, again the cup a big influence (14.71).

Whether they will keep their emotions in check is a guess that requires mythical understanding of the universe. With some more bodies expected to return this weekend, the good guys would want to continue the goodwill they have built already and make sure each win adds pressure to the rest of the league.

Mac Carruth is touted to return the line up this weekend, though not on Saturday, meaning a potential first start in the Skydome vs Blaze on Sunday.

Evan Mosey is also suggested to return, which means that Donaghey (Upper Body) and Shinkaruk (Lower Body) are left to return at some point, Shinkaruk is yet to feature in the regular season proper.

Regardless of who starts, dresses or is available, the squad selection is returning to normal, as players come off IR.

Road vs Blaze (CC)

Blaze present a formidable prospect, where in midweek they embarrassed their hosts Clan, with a 6-0 shutout W.

That dub placed goalie Matt Robson at the top of league standings for goalies, with 95.83 SV% and 1.33 GAA after only 3GP. Blaze are the only undefeated team so far in the early campaign, something which no one saw coming.

They are undoubtedly being slept on, here is a poll to prove it; https://x.com/hockeysteve8719/status/1846843273056264628

Ironically like Storm last year, they are put together with a fearless, industrious and relentless set up, where they will dig in for turnovers, greasy goals, counter punches, good discipline and dogged defence.

They have been a team to watch so far this season, from their heartbreaking OTL to Steelers, to beating them with ease, their battles with Storm and their most recent game on the road, Blaze have this plucky character about them, which as a neutral is fun to watch.

The prospect of beating them on the road has been vastly diminished and for good reason.

They have active sticks, face the play constantly, love a drop pass, recycle and carry well, constantly move and are not afraid to attack the game, even when down or under pressure.

Hallmarks of the Flames before last season and Storm over the last few years combined, this fearless, nothing to lose approach and attitude has begun to win other fans over, so who knows, maybe the old rivalry renewed proper?

Of the last 5GP in CC so far, Blaze have seen two games stay in regulation, much like last season, but of those extras, they have gathered important points in the new, bewildering CC structure.

This will be the Devils 5th CC game, where they are looking to break a losing skid after starting so strongly.

They are a point apart, but despite a stutter by the good guys, they do have a below average GA (12) so far, which is 20.3 GA in this group.

Granted, they have played less hockey, but have trended below the average, so maybe with Carruth getting his first start of the season proper, it isn’t too much of a gamble, as there are still half the group fixtures left for the Devils.

Qualification, should be controlled by their own destiny. Should.

Blaze meanwhile, have struggled to score as much in this competition, but have managed to draw the extra points here and there over their 6GP, scoring just 14 to Devils 18.

The tale of this tape would be decided by who has a better game in net, but the hockey game itself should be an entertaining affair.

Ones to Watch

Goal Sanford; he has been on a heater since securing another season with his team, going for 9 points in the league out of 6GP and 5pts from 3GP in the cup.

Ryan Hughes; Of the players around him, this is where the industry starts. His 5 point night vs Clan in midweek all but surely put him in the EIHL Face-Off TOTW for at least one host, with his point production proving a competitive factor for his team and a dangerous prospect for those facing them.

He tops his team for points in the cup (10 from 7GP) and has 7 points from 5GP in the league, so far 2nd overall for assists.

Michael Regush; Roguish wowed his fans and those watching vs Clan midweek to charge up the points table, however this has been coming. In the cup he has 7 points from 6GP so far and in the league he is 6 points from 3GP, half of them vs Clan, with a goal and two apples.