Post Game Review vs Clan & Preview vs Flyers

League Record So Far; 10 – 3 – 0, 20pts, 1st Place

Devils fall at home for their third loss of regular season, as Clan come from behind to earn a fantastic road win, leaving fans ruing a missed 2 points and questions over commitment, post Conti Cup.

Here are 10 Observations of last nights game vs Clan;

1. Sluggish start for Devils ultimately cost them as Clan dialled in positionally, snuffed out chances and lanes from the home team, to grab a long awaited league win in Wales and a massive two points to help lift them out of the bottom of the table.

You would have to go back 10 league games to find the Clans last W vs Devils, in January 2023 at Glasgow. They haven’t won in Wales in the league since April 23rd 2022. Massive for them. 17 Games without a win in Cardiff for the league was a heck of a record.

2. Landon Bow brilliant as Burman faced a baptism of fire, with both being kept busy and called upon to make some sublime saves. Both goalies had a good night between the pipes, keeping the game close and the atmosphere nervy on a knife edge.

3. MacDonalds mitts were deliciously silky and sublime, but his pretty skill sets was too little as strenuous efforts to repeat a scouted system early, proven too little against a well drilled opponent. His goal will certainly be a highlight reel contender as he sniped top shoulder, but the team was easily boxed out at the blue line, leaving heads being scratched on the bench and frustration seeping in.

4. EIHL officiating has been a contentious issue since the start of the season and it seemed to return once again, as the home team came up short on calls called and moments missed, feeding the onlooking fans with anger and the players beside themselves once again.

To be devils advocate, for a play on words, the face off violation was the correct call. However, the build up before the call, should have nullified it even happening. They need no longer than 5 seconds to drop the puck. Just drop it. Job done.

5. The leagues best power play met the leagues best penalty kill 4 times last night and it went the way of the home teams PK. The units were dialled in, especially the new goalie Taz Burman, sharp on each penalty. This pushed Devils to 90% on the PK.

Clan, got their goals 5 on 5, they are still the best in terms of power play, but a chunk has been chipped away in Cardiff, now at 28. 57%.

Devils also had a couple of power play chances, agonisingly missing a converted chance on their second, but scoring straight after as they continued their set up in possession of the puck. They now languish in 7th overall with 16.22%. Utterly dreadful considering who they have at their disposal.

6. Evan Mosey put on a show last night as the veteran two way player has had some suspect performances this season, coughing up turn overs and giveaways in high risk areas. He certainly put that to bed for 60 minutes last night, as he was able to lock down his DZ, turn over and out battle forwards and push ahead, pinch and cause some trouble offensively.

It was a shame there was no one in the key areas to collect his passes or jump on rebounds. His best play was a coast to coast drive after battling in the corners, then a back check and stick poke to disrupt a counter play.

He looked like a bonafide leader out there, the Mosey we know. He was inspired.

However, his hard work was for nought, going minus 3 on the night wasn’t a reflection of his play, there seemed to be a lack of energy and engagement from the D core as a whole.

7. The 4th line has been a heater this season. Not for points production, but for reliability and robust performances. At both ends of the ice, they turn over pucks and get underneath other teams’ skin. They can breakaway and carry the puck hard, drive the net fiercely and defend fearlessly.

It is the one line that shouldn’t be broken up. To the point, it has started to become hallowed amongst the fan base. On the PK, each player who is out there for the unit, has been growing with precision each week. A huge turn around to the start of the season and a few weeks ago.

8. The game drew an uncomfortable spotlight on a couple of players that had higher expectations from their fans. Brett Perlini earned a scoring streak recently but has since gone well off the boil.

The lack of drive and intensity allowed easy turnovers, opponents getting the jump on him and look of deer in headlights at times. Certainly wasn’t a great game from the GB vet.

Tyler Busch has had some on and off games throughout the season, his physicality certainly his biggest asset. Defensively, being unable to cleat the zone, fumbling the puck with dangerous giveaways turned moments from puck recoveries to high danger chances on net, forcing defensive face offs or unnecessary turnovers.

The chopping block is calling, Shinkaruk will be on the roster, at the expense of an import unless all Brits are healthy.

9. The Duke of Cardiff already dazzles for goals, link up play, line support and ferocious intensity. It is wild he is on the 3rd line. Lately, there must be a growing sentiment in the locker room that he should be trusted on the top 6.

That is how deep the team is, even without the aforementioned Shinkaruk. He plays with a grit and edge of someone who wants to get things done, with a chip on his shoulder.

His interception play on his own net highlighted his desire to be a team player, to be responsible both on and off the puck. He is calling for a bigger role, only time until he gets it. Earned entirely.

10. Burman’s first game ended in a regulation loss to a determined and well drilled Clan team, but his performance was brilliant.

91.67 SV% is no joke on 38 saves. 36 SOG from 54 attempts highlighted how disorganised his team were, much to the displeasure of their coach. This should have been the one factor that was a locked down given. New goalie, home game, let nothing get through.

He can hold his head up high however, his first competitive game since April, that’s a good outing.

Three Stars vs Clan

Third Star; Reid Duke – He might not have got on the scoresheet but was most active to get his team in the game. 8 shots with 7 on net and 75% on face off wins. His defensive play was astounding.

Second Star; Steven Siego – 2 Assists, 3 blocked shots. Stalwart.

First Star; Landon Bow – 95 SV% on 40 shots, kept his team in the game, helping them earn a great road win.

Up next for Devils is a tricky road trip to Flyers, where the home team will be waiting to unleash a big statement to let the league know, they are still here. Yma O Hyd, indeed.

Tale of the Tape

Fife have had an abysmal season so far, with such a short roster of players who have yet to form chemistry and a revolving door to find the right fits.

They recently snapped a 12 game skid in OT vs Giants, which was a dead rubber game in the cup but they are yet to win at home again, where they have won just once in the league at the auld barn, a regulation win vs Storm in October.

They have picked up points, in back to back OTL’s, but 4 from a slate of 6 games is pretty dire. They were one of the first to be eliminated from cup progression, taking just two wins, 7 points and shipping over 50 goals in the process over 11GP.

In the league, their fortunes are not much better, with just 4 points from 12GP, their only win from that game vs Storm.

57 goals conceded, 108 overall this season and it is not even December yet. This is a must win to turn things around for the new Edinburgh Capitals.

This is their first clash of season in Kirkcaldy, where the previous meetings have seen the beginnings of the hallowed ‘Fife Five Club’, Devils posting 5:1 and 5:2 wins. This became a hallmark of their season so far, for the leagues oldest club.

Diamond In The Rough

Despite their terrible season so far, they still play with grit. Lucas Chiodo, who is the principle one to watch leads his team in league points, 16 in 12GP. He is joint 2nd, 4th overall in the league, with Barriga of Giants and O’Brien of Devils. Only Storms Hebert is ahead of them with 18 and certainly that could change on the night.

Chiodo also sits in 2nd overall in the league for apples, with 11. One behind Giants’ Josh Roach (12).

Finer Details

This game is a top vs bottom clash in every respect. Not just on points, but it is the highest scoring team against the lowest. After last nights subpar performance, the road team will want to bounce back, as they normally do.

Defensively, Flyers struggle to keep pucks out of the net, being bottom of the table with a 4.75 GAA, they need to be robust each shift, each period.

Last nights loss to Clan didn’t undermine the Devils exemplary GAA record, sitting at 1.85. Exceptional, especially if Bowns is expected to start.

To be successful, you need to generate production, this is where Devils are strongest overall, at 2nd behind Stars with 34.85 expected shot average per game. Flyers, at the bottom, with just 28.42. Shots against average for Flyers is almost into the territory of being double with 40.33 SAA.

A tough night is to be expected in a typically quiet rink for the best of times.

Game Changers, Game Makers

There are positives beyond Chiodo for Flyers, as they get to see great players in their barn like O’Brien, Sanford and MacDonald. Key players to look out for.

Phelix Martineau has been quietly steadying a ship in choppy seas, with 7 points in his last 5GP in all competitions, however the bulk of them came against Giants in their OTW, but he is a constant threat and talisman for his club.

Defensive duo Tyler Heidt and Olivier Leblanc have been incredible, putting their bodies on the line all season long so far, with 8 blocks each, eating up just over 20 minutes each per game. Big efforts will be needed from them to deal with a determined Devils team.

Devils Expected Line Up vs Flyers

With the exception of the goalies, where I expect Bowns to start ahead of Burman, the line should realistically stay the same, as they usually have so far this season.

Repatriating the Goat Line of O’Brien – Martin – Sanford would make sense, then putting Duke on the 2nd with MacDonald and Barrow, adding Olischefski to the third with Busch and Perlini would attribute scoring depth to the top 6 for relentless forechecking, backed up by a big, hard hitting third line and the 4th to go out there and cause further mayhem.

That set up would tear Flyers apart and the stats would roll in.

I am glad it isn’t my job. Who knows, an early ice out for Shinkaruk, as sources speculate he is nearly good to go.

Why not for this game. It would only increase the chances of a bounce back win for the road team and at least shake off some rust before their next game in midweek vs last seasons champions.