CARDIFF, WALES – It was a double header weekend to start the new season at the Vindico Arena and the team didn’t disappoint.
They took on the struggling outfit of Rapaces de Gap from the French Ligue Magnus, with a handful of absentees and minimal time together, but swept the French Fife 5-1 in both clashes.
The teams were a class apart, even despite the players missing and adding up reinforcements via their partnership with NIHL club, Bristol Pitbulls.
In fact, in many areas, they never looked out of place against the LM minnows.
The score-lines were comfortably worked, with the very final frame seeing some gas let up, to avoid any further complications. With this being their first taste of action together as a new unit and with some missing parts, they never got out of 1st gear and coasted it.
Across the weekend, there was 7 individual goal scorers, with Barrow, Fournier and Yaremko each picking a brace across the series opener in pre-season.
So what did we learn from the brief window of preseason action vs a very inferior team?
1. Focus & Ferocity
From the initial puck drop to seeing out the final frame, every puck was claimed, every player stood on business and every shot against was tracked, battled and there was no quarter given.
As soon as the first goals went in, the pace and nature of the game changed, Gap brought the lumber mentality and swiftly got handled. From the Goat to Richardson, Yaremko to Duggan, they stepped up for their line mates at any time.
This was a bonkers affair, with a view of ‘what would Gap do next?’, but the Devils stuck to their guns, backed each other and played what was in front of them.
Precision from Perlini, from receiving passes on the turn, being right where he was needed on the power play and making space with and without the puck was like watching fine art in action.
Masterclass plays and link ups from MacDonald, who battled hard and turned the puck over in the corners all weekend.
Then the dialled in, ease of play from Estes and the finesse of skating from both Fournier and Oligny, really felt like it was effortless all weekend.
2. Fournier Flashbacks
Much was said about what we saw from Fournier last season, as he looked uncomfortable, off the pace and at times disengaged. Many attributed this to the coach, many used his off-season interview as confirmation.
Who knows, it could just well be that was the reason.
This past weekend, we saw him clap one in from the blue line, skate like he was 25 and moved like he used too.
Dynamic, direct, jumped into action and was a menace to play against, he was just like the Fourns of Old, so if this is what a new coach can bring, then I can confidently state we are all here for it.
3. Lacroix Lived Up to Expectations
He was there or there about during his first game as a Devil, chugging north and south from net to net, but mostly seemed lost out there.
Until a battle ensued or some physicality was brought out.
His best game is his presence of course and like some others, wasn’t afraid to screen the goalie and get stuck in the greasy areas.
There wasn’t enough to see if there is a nose for net however, as he was ejected for a dangerous play to the head in centre ice.
It might have been innocuous to some, to others who understand the game with more experience of the sport itself and this league as a whole, it was warranted.
Of course, he was dropped the next game to simulate the scenario of a league suspension, but this would never stop the predictable rumour mills from obscure regions of the UK.
All in all, he would need a larger window to truly evaluate what he can bring to benefit the team long term. As for now, exactly as expected, entertaining, but not the stud contributor on the scoresheet as many convinced themselves he would be.
4. The Cult of Caponi
Here is a player who announced their arrival with gusto, grit and a ferocity not seen for quite some time. His announcement all but ended speculation of whether Brandt would return and when he eventually got announced as well, a debate reopened.
However, this fella is in a different universe in comparison to both Brandt and Pietroniro. He is a different gravy and what a beauty he was to watch.
As Owner Steve King explained in their Summit Exposé, the way Caponi lines up his victims is a sight to behold.
Unlike Brandt, these hits are crafted and performed in open ice, with a force that not even physicists could determine as earthly.
The reaction has been immediate and as expected, but he delivered far more than the rough stuff. He has really good puck control, knows where to find space, not afraid to battle on net and can really get good looks on target.
Fearless, resourceful, would be a calamitous waste on the 4th line. But, the question will undoubtedly be asked again, what does this mean for Brandt? The answer is up to the organisation, as for Caponi, all he would need to do is play his game and will be a lock for the season.
The focus would be which line would he land on, preferably with his Pios brethren or the very least, a lumber line with Brandt and Lacroix. Partnered with Helgeson and Estes, this would surely send fear throughout any opponents benches.
Mouthwatering.
5. Physicality is Back
The debate rolled on throughout the summer and off-season and the more pieces that were added and confirmed, the more the roster was shaped as a robust, take no hassle team. Sparking continued debate and rightfully so, a question of where would the goals come from.
The score-lines flattered the hosts vs a team that was at best, similar to last seasons’ Fife. Their next opponent is a university team.
The games produced identical results, 5-1 apiece and there were casualties along the way, with some clean ups on the ice, where the resident rink manager spent more time there already than Shinkaruk did played last season.
There was grit, fight and plenty of hits.
There was also a lot of enterprise and industry out there to produce some very good chances from all over the OZ. Despite the lower quality of the opposition, the goals were still limited.
Against a minor-level team next, it would present a chance for more systems to be played, additional players to utilise and gain some chemistry and confidence.
So far, there are no set captains, which has shown, as each player has brought some extra zip and sauce to their game already, with no wasted efforts up and down the line up.
Up Next; USports’ Concordia Stingers
The Canadian University programme recently scooped silver last season in the USports playoffs, their first since 1994, hailed as their best season in recent history.
Two of their players made the tournament all-star team, Simon Lavigne (D) and Mathieu Bizier (F).
They finished top of their conference (OUA East, Ontario University Athletics) and captured their first ever Queens Cup as Champions of the OUA.
Their coach, Marc-André Elément was also named as USports Coach of the Year, the aforementioned Lavigne as Defenceman of the Year, who also made the 2nd All-Canadian Team.
Quite a season after 21 victories.
It is also worth noting that this programme has developed successful talent in the Women’s game, with draftees going to the newly formed PWHL recently.
Their main stars would likely have moved on this season, as many have completed 3 years, with only 10 players registered so far on EP.
They are doing a tour of the UK, similar to what UQTR did last season, which shows a growing connection across the pond.
This has been evident in the recruitment to the EIHL for first time Pros, this year with some exception talents, from the likes of Derek Gentile (Top scorer last season) and Christian Purboo (G) in the top 5 of netminders last season in USports.
In recent years, there has been a whole class of players make their way UK-Side from Brad Lalonde (Flames), Martineau (Flyers), Teasing (Flames), Paiement (Flyers), Neill (Panthers) to name a few, from this University.
They will be keen to impress and play hard, fast hockey, so although they shouldn’t be disrespected, they certainly should not be underestimated.
Expected Returnees
Riley Brandt touched down on Sunday and watched from the gantry, so he should be available this weekend. Also, Tyson Helgeson should have recovered from his injury last week in training.
Still to return would be Kristoff Kontos and Cole Sanford.
An Honourable mention would be Cedric Lacroix, how long for, that would be an interesting odds to place.
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