Post Game Review; 5 Key Observations vs Rittner Buam

Devils launched their 2025 IIHF Continental Cup campaign with a commanding, easy win over Italian champs, Rittner Buam.

The game went back and forth, as both teams boxed out attacks to the boards, but it was Devils who first found twine along the top of the slot as Fournier opened the scoring. Here are my 5 key observations from game one of the weekend

1. Top of the Slots!

The first 3 goals all came from similar areas, crossing from the wing on a forehand glide, over the slot area and neat wristers to finish.

Fournier after great play by Mosey to corral the puck, turn his opponent towards the board and find a lineman to feed Gleason Fournier, who effortlessly collected the pass on the tape, gave a little look then threw the biscuit on the net.

Josh MacDonald had a similar goal also to make it 2 zip, from a neat zone entry off the boards and cut from the point to the mid slot and sniped home.

Duke scored his on the PP after going down a goal even strength from a good counter move by the Buam. Duke from the opposite side, collected a drop pass, faked a move, then found space on the next step and wristed one home top bin to extend the lead by two again between the circles.

The play started with Carruth corralling an iced puck, which Fournier picked up and skated through to the far side boards, deftly dropped the puck to hard skating Duke and a the rest is history.

Brilliantly worked goals.

2. Carruth Stands Tall, As Bowns Bows Out, For Now

Bowns had a great start until he had to leave the game. The goal against was an awkward rebound off the post to the tape of Szypula, a great bounce for him, but as Bowns turned to face the puck, he clearly felt something twinge.

Some time after, he was helped off the ice to the locker room and Carruth took over. He faced 15 SOG and kept his net clear, where Bowns initially faced 12 and saved 11 for 91.67 SV%.

Carruth is likely to start tomorrow vs the hosts Žilina, carrying back to back shutouts in his last 2GP, although not from 120 mins on the ice, it currently stands at 150:20.

3. Multi-Point Night

It was well and truly a stat night for the Welsh team as they eased to an early group game win in this round robin match up.

Martin lead the way with a goal and two apples. Fournier was the first to a multi-point game with his own lamp lighter to start proceedings and an apple on the Duke goal.

MacDonald also got a brace of points, his helper started the goal for the Goat after his sensational pinch and drive to snipe home the second.

Carruth added to his short worked shutout with an assist on Dukes goal. Not bad. Not bad at all.

4. Terrific Defense

The entire defensive group really made the game look like it was easy for the team, as they were active off the puck with sticks, smart battles and boxed out the puck carriers up the boards.

They controlled the pace of the game thoroughly well, often leading to good set ups for offense. Fournier and Donaghey, as well as Mosey all got rewards from the goals and game itself, but it was their quick thinking and creative outlets that helped their team push up the gears.

Even when the game got a little chippy, they stood tall and the PK benefitted from this. Going 100% on the night.

5. Comfortable but Creative

They put up 5 goals, including one from the goat, one from the blue line and a PPG. There was 39 SOG for the Devils, with Reid Duke leading the way offensively, putting up 6 shots.

Fournier was next, attempting 3 shots for his efforts, both players finding the net.

Sanford was also pretty active as he battled along the wings the same as his other line mates, with the sole player Jarrod Gourley not managing a shot all game.

The team buzzed around the rink looking for an outlet and chance to to shoot, with the forechecking catching out their opponents at key times.

This eventually led to some scuffles off the play or behind the whistles, however, penalties were duly given, both teams taking over 6mins of PIMS each, which left the Devils able to control the game.

Here are my Three Stars from todays game;

First Star; Joey Martin – 1G, 2A

Second Star; Gleason Fournier – 1G, 1A

Third Star; Mac Carruth – 100 SV%, 1A