Game Review vs Flames; 5 Key Observations

League Record So Far; 14 – 3 – 0, 28pts, 1st Place

Devils stay the course and come up clutch to deny Flames, ensuring the rest of the league needs to catch up and make use of some games in hand to keep it close.

Here are my 5 key observations of the game vs Flames

1. MacDonald hot as Devils take charge

He has been cooking since he first skated out for the Devils, but in the L5GP he has put up 7 points (which seems to be the standard across the league) but in this case, consecutively.

He now joins Zach O’Brien as joint top scorer (20) in the league, along with two others, with an even split of goals and helpers.

He has a shot accuracy of 60.8% with 2 PPG, so not bad for average 16 minutes TOI. His natural skill with the puck and silky mitts makes him a stand out and sure bet for success on a breakaway. A key figure in this years championship chasing squad.

2. Busch snaps cold streak

This weekend has seen a focus on one hard working individual that hasn’t been making moves on the scoresheet. Tyler Busch snapped a 5 game cold streak with a primary assist for Perlini’s goal, which also takes the veteran Brits tally to 14 points and a 4 game point streak.

The line worked hard in all areas from shot blocking and defensive play, to making their presence known along the boards, even open ice in Buschs’ case to linking up for a classy goal in the 2nd frame.

Busch registered 2 blocked shots, but it was attention to detail in the tighter defensive battles that helped his team, then his tenacity to get the play moving with high flying line mate Reid Duke, paying dividends. This will be a key turning point to make his case going forward.

3. Bowns still searching for his First shutout

After 12GP, it is incredible to think that GB number one Ben Bowns is still on the hunt to lock down a shutout so far this season, across all competitions played.

After his heroics last night, he earned a 96.67 SV% and 1GA from 30 SOG. Once again he returned to the leagues top goalie spot, over taking opposite netminder Jake Kupsky, going for 2.04 GAA and a 94.07%.

Of course, he has played more games, however, the team itself, including goalies Burman and Carruth, each with a shutout, have helped to log a 1.88 GAA overall for their season.

Conceding just 32 goals so far this season, they are starting to put some discernible and well earned daylight between them and their nearest rivals.

4. Special teams hit and miss

The Devils power play slipped to 7th overall, once again just shy of 20% at 19.61 after failing to convert on multiple chances on the night. Kupsky was dialled in and the build up far too slow to pose a threat or generate high quality, Grade A chances.

This could still experience a fix sooner than later if they are able to convert in successive games and it will balance itself out again, however, the approach is too stagnant, tried and scouted.

As for the PK, the game saw them go 50%, keeping the team at the top of the table in terms of killing penalties with 87.76%.

This is no mean feat and the unfortunate penalty that got called on them, ended Bowns’ shutout bid, but also spoiled a near perfect evening for them.

Small constellation for the visitors, however the PK unit can keep its head up high. The major feature of this unit is Sam Duggan, but he seemed to have picked up a knock early in the game wasn’t seen since.

Should his involvement have been a factor, there could be a strong argument it would have been a 100% kill on the night.

5. Six point week, at what cost?

It goes without saying that this was the perfect bounce back after a dull and slow return to EIHL action for the club following their Continental Cup success in the round robin group stage in Slovakia.

They dispatched a beaten and weary Steelers team, who went on to log 4 consecutive losses for the first time in since March 2022 , including their 20+ win streak being snapped by Panthers before succumbing to league basement dwellers, Flyers.

Then, they went on the road to a tricky Storm team that can score goals but also hemorrhage them. The latter happened, with Burman recoding a shutout for his new club and the teams’ second of the season.

Then, with tired legs and a determined team at home, they battled out a game that became a war of attrition until the very end.

During the road game vs Storm, Gourley got into a fight with Dallas Erhhardt, losing convincingly. He sat the next game, leaving the team playing 5D.

In that game vs Flames, as mentioned earlier, Duggan took an early knock and didn’t play for the rest of the game.

Adding the list of Batch, Carruth and Shinkaruk, of whom is still a mystery, the next game vs Giants could become a battle of those left in the game day ranks due to injuries.

Three Stars vs Flames

Third Star; Brett Perlini – 1 Goal, 8 shots, 6 SOG, 15 mins TOI

Second Star; Cole Sanford – 1 Goal (GWG), 9 shots, 19:20 TOI

First Star; Ben Bowns – 29 saves, 96.67SV% and 1 GA.