Challenge Cup Record So Far; 3 – 2 – 1, 7pts, 4th Place
The campaign for this years challenge cup has been pretty quiet in South Wales, as the league was the predominant fixture slate up until last weekend.
From then, there was 5 games left to play, with a lot of the group nearly finished already. With Blaze rolling into town as one of the best teams in terms of form, it poses for a midweek cup game, with meaning. Something of a rarity.
Devils still have 4 games left to play including a to be announced game vs Blaze, as a hangover x bad weather x bad admin, delayed their flight back a couple weeks ago. Then, there is the utterly nonsensical fixture in late December vs Panthers, who look all but set to qualify.
However, there are teams with games in hand behind them, who could squeeze them out of contention. So, I imagine that last fixture would bring a lot of connotations, but surely it could have already played out on the last pre-season game between them, where Devils went home with the W? Logic.
Challenge Cup Group A Table After 6GP for Cardiff Devils
Mini Recap of the Weekend
Devils travelled to Sheffield for a first competitive clash of the season against the current champions and those who see the road the team as a champions-elect.
There was a well known R&R period for the team, so every fan fully expected and rightfully so, this team to be well rested and raring to go, with max points absolutely possible.
The result, was a night of frustration, an inability to to string a pass together, clear their zone effectively, head down hockey and a lot of turnovers and giveaways.
Ben Bowns started and done an incredible job between the pipes, with his team not matching their opponents or even generating an opposition credible enough to warrant their hosts moving into second gear.
It wasn’t until they were 3 zip down in the third, did they finally switch on and the mood on and off the ice changed.
Sheffield were challenged and they didn’t have an answer until an ENG secured a win for them. There was an expectation that points might be dropped on the weekend, as Flames had nothing to play for and this game being a small litmus test.
Flames came to town, with a bounce back win expected. Between the pipes, Mac Carruth finally returned and was immediately grounded into action with back to back desperation saves.
The lapse of focus continued and it got messy. Penalties were expected and they never disappointed, although roughing was called for rag dolling, but nothing major spilled over in a pretty decently officiated affair.
Going a goal down from a terribly poor blue line turnover, resulting in a goal from a breakaway summed up the effort levels, that was starting to grow angst and frustration in the stands.
After that goal was answered, there was a double tap against Kupsky, in the 2nd frame and that tilted the game toward the home team, which they never looked back. The special teams were great, but the 4th line really went to work.
Ultimately, Batch put the marker on top of the weekend to secure the win and a vital 2 points, with his own ENG from his own zone, redemption in full, following the disastrous turnover in the first.
What to Expect vs Blaze
In the cup, both teams have similar records. Two wins and three loses in their last 5GP. However, Blaze have had to play extra hockey for three of those, Devils needing one game of extras, that was at home to Storm in a thrilling comeback from 5-2 down.
A regulation win at home would be great for the group, as this could help with the runner up or third place spot. However, Blaze aren’t a push over. Far from it.
Inarguably, they are the one team that has been slept on this season, going on a great league run that ended on the weekend vs Giants.
In essence these are the leagues current top two battling it out and both will start the game with very different expectations. For the home team, a solid performance and a win is the only outcome that would be acceptable.
For the visitors and old rivals, just play their game without fear or expectations. This is perhaps the most dangerous opponent any team could face.
Net Battle
The teams also have two of the top goalies across all EIHL comps, however in the cup, they are separated by mere margins, with Robson slightly higher than Bowns. This game could see another start for Carruth, however.
For all goalies over 5GP across both EIHL comps, Bowns is by far the best goalie stat wise, at 92.62 SV% and a 2.30 GAA. Only Ryan Bednard has a better overall GAA, with 2.23.
Bowns has played 13 games, where as Bednard has played 10 altogether. Marginal differences, but form is form.
Total average for SV% is 90.49 and both of tonights goalies are holding above average, the GAA overall league average is at 3.13, again in this area, both are below the average, which in this case is very good.
Team Performance
In terms of production and line defense, Blaze lead the cup groups with 4.67 GFA, many of those games being taken too or won in OT. So, they cannot be ruled out over a 60 minute game. You need to play against them until the final buzzer.
Devils sit in 4th with 3.63 GFA, so for the production, it should be a good night. In terms of line defence and the GAA for each team, Devils sit at the top with 1.63 GAA. Backing up the claim that Bowns, who has played the most games, is the best goalie right now.
Blaze, are also 4th in this area, with a 2.50 GAA as a team, so there should be interesting battles individually all over the ice.
Who is Hot
Blaze forwards Alessio Luciani and Michael Regush have been the go-too guys to drive their offense this season, however Chase Gresock currently leads his team in cup points with 8 so far in 6 GP.
Regush has 7 points in the same GP, but on the PP, former Devil Brandon Alderson continues to dominate in this area and is almost guaranteed a goal to keep their streak hot. He has 4 PPG across all EIHL comps so far. Dangerous.
The already known combo of MacDonald (8), O’Brien (8) and Sanford (6) lead their team in the cup, with Sanford converting three times on the PP.
The 2nd unit lead the way on Sunday vs Flames, so this provided really deep options for the special teams as a rotation.
Special Teams
Conversely their PP is at 13.64% in the cup. Steelers has the worst overall at 11.76% after 7GP. Devils rocks at 22.22% and has two very active PP units.
It is where the PK will be decided here, as both sit at the bottom, Blaze at 8th overall with 76.67% and Devils rock bottom at 72% flat. Recently, their PK overall has improved.
Final Thoughts
Both of these teams play a heavy forecheck style, hustle for loose pucks, tighten up defensively to snuff out attacks and like to set up across the high slot area.
This will be a back and forth game where both teams need points to keep their own cup hopes alive, creating the ingredients for a fantastic game if the play remains open and flowing. Their match night officials often try to let the game carry on but can have a short fuse when they want too.
Hopefully, they just let the teams play and only get drawn in if there are dangerous plays in question (also hoping, none of that happens).
If qualification stays as it is, by points % the top three from Group A will be Steelers, Panthers and Devils in third, ready to face runners up Clan, again in a knockout stage.
So, this is where Blaze will look to make the most of their opportunities in an environment that feeds off the old rivalry between them.
Both teams have had contrasting projected fortunes and in their own rights, become slept on in terms of ability and performance overall. Perhaps tonight will provide a unique flashpoint (UFP) on this season so far.
Projected Line Up vs Blaze
Busch – Olischefski – Barrow
O’Brien – Martin – Sanford
Perlini – Duke – MacDonald
Brandt – Davies – Duggan
MacWilliam – Mosey
Richardson – Batch
Fournier – Gourley
Carruth
Bowns
HockeySteve Stats & Insights 
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