Post Game Review vs Flyers; Key Observations

League Record So Far; 11 – 3 – 0, 22pts, 1st Place

Devils came from behind to deny Flyers their second win on home ice and collect a desperate two points to reverse an underwhelming return to EIHL action.

It was lights out after the first for Devils, as their post-Conti Cup slump extended to 80 minutes of hockey over two games, before they started to find some structure, impetuous and hunger again, to tilt the game in their favour and secure two hard earned points on the road.

Here are my key observations to the game vs Flyers;

Multi-Point games for Fournier, Sanford and Chiodo, Caraozza

Chiodo has been flying of late, as mentioned in the pre-game build up. He has now pushed ahead in the points standings for the league with 18 (6G, 12A) and his helper has added to the collection of apples that sees him officially (for now) take top spot as the leagues assist leader, over Giants’ Josh Roach.

For a team that is languishing in the table and yet to win at home in the league since early October, having a player produce so effectively (7 points in L5GP) and on a three game point streak in all EIHL competitions, it would be easy to assume he will be a top target for a bigger, more prosperous club going forward.

Carozza added a similar feat from his game, with a goal and an assist too. He added to a line that was buzzing for most of the game, but fell to old habits when the road team started to get into a flow with their own production.

Sanford added a goal with a helper to keep his own points production ticking, also at 7 in 5, however at the rate of every other game in that last 5. He sits one point behind Zach O’Brien (17), leading his club in league assists (10) in 13GP.

A key player who has never looked back since his return from Germany early in the season. Over the season, he has added to his role of being a point scorer, making himself present defensively and getting more engaged physically.

Fournier had the largest multi point night with a goal and two assists, earning the role of redemption for an extremely poor performance the previous night.

His PPG brought his team within one, before they answered back immediately, but his ambition to get more active offensively was from start to finish, putting up a point in each stanza of the game.

His performance, considering the game featured 9 goals in regulation, earned him a +4 on the night. This is the Fournier of old the fans wanted to see again.

Each Devils line produced on the night

Goals from Sanford (2), Martin, Perlini and Duggan demonstrated the scoring depth at the disposal for Coach Russell and a clear indication to the league, that even when they don’t play at their best, they can contribute from anywhere, at any time.

It was just in goals, both primary and secondary assists featured players from each line as well. Sanford x O’Brien, yes that pair again linked up for the PPG, Brandt got the assist on Duggan’s effort to make it a one goal game.

Barrow and MacDonald combined to help the Goat , Joey Martin find twine for an all 2nd line effort and finally Duke helped his line mate and GB vert, Brett Perlini on the scoresheet.

Flyers efficient, but not enough to earn the win

At the end of the first, Flyers were 3 goals for the good on 9 SOG.

33.33% shot efficiency and it showed. The game ended with them having a slightly improved overall SE% compared to the Devils with 14. 29%. 28 SOG from 38 attempts was taken with pride, as they went 4:2 up they were really Flying to say the least.

Two goals came from the high danger area on 3 shots. 5 shots from the mid danger area were saved on 10 attempts, with one getting through Burman. 60% on target from this zone and 66.67% completion rate on high danger chances, showcased that as predicted in the preview, they were there to make a statement.

For example, Phelix Martineau, who was tipped as one to watch had 8 shots, 5 on net and a goal. 62.5% shot efficiency from him alone. Carroza, who had a goal and an assist on the night had 5 shots, all on target, including his goal.

Shot generation like this only stands to improve chances of xG for the team, so considering both were on the scoresheet, it is a prime indicator of what can happen when you make things happen.

Special teams building momentum

Going into this game, Devils improved on their league leading PK% with a flat 90. After this game, they improved it again to 92. 24% with another 100% kill, albeit they faced only two penalties tonight.

Despite scoring on the PP for almost back to back games and improving slightly on their PP record overall to 17.95%, they now sit at 8th overall in the league.

The positive is that it is clicking. They are scoring on it. Last night they scored seconds after it ended, but the control, production and nose for net was there. Nothing too passive or slow. Nothing too staggered or wayward, allowing the PH units to settle in or pinch.

After 39 power plays and just 7 PPGs, they have a 5.57% chance of converting per shot on each power play. More can be done, but that PPG would have lifted the unit. They went 6 games until scoring on the power play, the last vs Storm, where 2 were scored on the special team.

Middle frame domination tilted the result

As mentioned before, it took 80 or so minutes of hockey to be played until Devils found their usual groove, much to the frustration of their coach and of course, the fans.

The first frame saw a SOG count at 9:13 in favour of the visitors, but they were down 3:1 going into the second stanza. It was in this period that was make or break to get back into the game and make a push to get ready for their next fixture, a pivotal clash that will count toward a title push.

This is where the game opened up for the Devils, despite going behind again by two in the period, they commanded the shot count for 9:20 on net. Huge turn around and it paid off.

They secured a 2:1 middle stanza lead through goals by Fournier and Sam Duggan, helping to tilt the game back in their favour.

Clawing their way back to a one goal game with all the momentum for the third, the defensive units shut down play at the other end and it was evident by the end of the game, as Flyers actually got more looks (10:8) but failed to get through.

Burman found his form in that final dance, helping his new team to lock down the game at 2:0 in the final period, so they could secure the win.

This will be a key factor for the team to focus on going into their next and more than important match up against the current title holders, who dominated in their game vs Storm on the night as well.

Regardless of who starts in net, they will aim to use this momentum as a foundation to push on and build more consistency and chemistry to make the league chase them in the standings.

Three Stars of the Game vs Flyers

Third Star; Lucas Chiodo – 1G, 1A

Second Star; Cole Sanford – 1G, 1A

First Star; Gleason Fournier; 1G, 2A