Preview vs Steelers

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

Champions Sheffield Steelers visit the Vindico Arena to clash with league leaders Cardiff Devils in a hotly and eagerly anticipated league clash, their first of the season and one that could be vital for the fate of the title later in this campaign.

Tale of the Tape

Both teams are on the back of a mixed weekend of results, each logging a 4 – 1 – 0 in their last 5GP, with very similar scoring rates and carrying unique injuries going into the tie on Wednesday.

The last time Steelers visited South Wales, they went home with their tail between their leagues, as the good guys easily despatched their rivals, 5:3.

Within that game, there was heated controversy as Steelers forward, Cole Shudra delivered a barrage of violent crosschecks to Tyler Busch and received only a fine for his efforts. Will this be revisited midweek or would both teams focus on the points instead?

The teams are 3 games apart with 4 points between them, this is ample space and comfort for the road team, which makes this game a must win for the Devils.

Their previous weekends efforts were way off the mark, as voiced by a displeased coach, who hasn’t given such an interview in a long time. The nearest to that would have been the 4 zip loss at home, to the next opponents.

Injuries and Hopes

Nevertheless, the squad are in good shape, considering the injuries to both goalies, with new net minder drafted in a week ago, Taz Burman. Steelers are also searching for their own relief cover, as both their starters have picked up knocks recently, with coach Aaron Fox immediately ruling both out for this game.

The next injuries to shed some light on would star players Colton Saucerman, who seem to still be out and enigmatic leader and Captain Robert Dowd, suffering a knock during their CHL exit game.

Patrick Watling has a knack for getting stretchered off then bouncing back, so it is anyones guess who would be dressed for the clash on Wednesday night.

For the home team, goalies aside, the eagerly anticipated return of Hunter Shinkaruk might be a reality for them that evening, many fans hoping so.

It is expected that Bowns will return in net for the game.

Special Teams

Both clubs and fan bases pride themselves on their special teams (as any team should) and it may come as a surprise to how things are starting to shape up.

Steelers’ last game vs Devils saw all of their goals scored on the PP. It added to the collective ruin of the Devils PK at the time, but shortly after, they bounced back in this department, especially in regular season.

For the PP, Steelers amazingly sit at 8th overall with 16.67%. Despite a prolific contributor in Marco Vallerand, who is easily one of the most gifted and dangerous forwards you can have on a PP unit.

However, those goals vs Devils in the cup are amongst the only ones to his name in the EIHL so far this season. He had 15 last campaign, usually acquiring 11 on average per season. In the CHL he added 2 more from his 7GP, so he is effective.

Devils are slightly more favourable but also have an underwhelming performance so far on the PP, despite some terrific talents within their group. They are 6th overall at just under 18%, nowhere near where they aim to be, but they are improving.

7 players have logged a marker on the PP so far, with O’Brien leading the group with two of his own. Contrast to their opponents, who have 5 different scorers, Leavens has the same as O’Brien in terms of PPG’s.

For the PK, this is where they separate and show their differences in quality.

Devils currently hold a 90.24 PK% at the top of the table overall, a stark contrast to a few weeks ago where they were languishing bottom 5. This is where their esteemed opponents currently reside, 8th again overall with 71.43%.

Of course, the visitors have played less hockey, so facing less penalties (28) compared to Devils (40) has a slight impact on this variable, however with those penalties they have yet to shore up defensively.

Further Insights

Ben Bowns still leads the way for the goalies in the league, sitting just under 2.00 GAA, with the teams overall at 2.00. This was helped by the recent games with new netminder, Taz Burman icing out for the team, shipping 7 goals in two games.

When Carruth returned, he added the clubs first competitive shutout with a solid performance overall, at .60 GAA and 98.21% in his brace of games played.

Steelers number one, Greenfield has a 2.10 GAA with 92.31 SV%, however, being injured, who knows who they will respond or adapt on the night.

Both teams in GAA occupy the top 3, with Devils on top, but Steelers in terms of production, over took their hosts on the weekend, who lead for 11 weeks, now holding 4.64 GFA with 51 goals scored (GS).

Devils have started to slow down of late, often battling in tighter games, going 3.50 GFA with 49GS. They still sit near the top with a great production average of 35.29 SFA per game. Steelers are in 7th with 32.36 SFA, so they are finding higher quality conversions on less attempts.

This is something that the Devils forwards group will surely be looking to execute with more precision and focus.

Both teams have been pretty decent in terms of discipline so far this season. Devils usually occupy the bottom 3 whilst their rivals somehow escape penalties and suspensions (re; DOPS) consistently.

Devils sit 3rd overall and Steelers 4th respectively in terms of PIMS/Game. Only twin Scottish minnows Stars and Flyers have been more disciplined in their game management so far.

In terms of game by game form, the L5GP sees Devils hit 3.8 GFA with a 2.4 GAA. The last two games slightly inflating the GA, as Burman was thrown in the deep end.

Their trending down of goal scoring however, has seemed to perk up, but will this continue against a well drilled defence which keeps shots to a minimum, as Steelers sit 2nd overall in the league with 28.27, Belfast just ahead with 28.25. Margins.

For the visitors they can put up higher scoring chances, sitting with 4.6 GFA int heir L5GP and the same in terms of GA (2.4). That game vs Storm may have inflated their GFA by a margin, as they would be closer to 4GA overall.

This makes for a game that needs good defence and attention on the PK.

Ones to Watch

Steelers boast almost 5 players at 12 points each so far this regular season. From Tansey to Balmas. The former earned 5 points over the weekend and seems to be dialled in to carry his team as his lineman and club talisman are out injured.

The latter however is in a scoring slump in the league, his L5GP recording just 3 assists, whereas Tansey’s weekend on the scoresheet reignited his trends.

Vallerand in his L5GP has put up 7 points, though not consecutively. The same can be said for Mark Simpson, who has the same points record, with 3G, 4A in his L5GP.

Sacha Guimond currently has a scoring streak of similar points (7), scoring in each of his L5GP. Hot form indeed.

For the Devils, it goes without saying that current points leader Zach O’Brien (17) has hit similar form as other trending players (7 points from L5GP) and is dangerous on the PP.

Whilst Sanford has a similar record again, he is game on, game off in terms of hitting the scoresheet, trending off for the next game, hopefully not and he has a night.

Reid Duke is a man on a mission and is almost a point per game in his L5GP, so depending on where he fits, this may continue.

Special mention to anticipated returnee Hunter Shinkaruk, should he dress for Wednesdays game, he will be a handful.

Projected Line Up vs Steelers

Shinkaruk – Olischefski – Barrow

O’Brien – Martin – Sanford

MacDonald – Busch – Duke

Perlini – Davies – Duggan

Mosey – Fournier

MacWilliam – Donaghey

Gourley – Richardson

Bowns

Burman