CARDIFF, WALES – Concordia University came to town after narrowly losing to Panthers the night before, with many expecting a game that would weigh heavily in favour of the home team.
As speculated in the build up this week, this Canadian University team were not to be underestimated due to their efficient structure, hard-nosed play and direct forechecking.
They only disappointed in terms of defeating the home team.
It was a game that was played hard, in your face with no space for mistakes. Here are some key takeaways from the ‘friendly’;
1. Devils Fatigue Showed
There has been no secret to how hard the new coaches will work this group, with higher expectations upon the players and therefore demands.
This was their only game of the week, the 2nd of back to back for the visiting university team.
In the post game interview with Coach Thompson, he pointed to the gruelling regime they had, which might have become a contributing factor for the game itself.
There was a lot of ill discipline, errant passes, uneven play, too many giveaways and was turned over far too easily.
The decision making was lacking severely, just as much as the overall compete levels.
It was a very structured performance by Concordia, who kept the pressure up and never let any puck carrier rest, across any zone.
The performance of the visitors just highlighted why so many are recruited to this league, especially as a first year pro, with many producing high quality campaigns.
This should make for a great case study to recruit, as their style mirrored what to expect from Devils as well, even the way rivals Blaze are recruiting and developing their identity also.
2. Vrbetic Delights as Devils Fell Short
The Stingers goalie stood tall and frustrated the efforts of the home team, who dominated the first frame with ease, until a hard angle look sneaked through Bowns and his near side post for the game opener.
Despite their efforts and shot generation, their goalie seemed to be an impenetrable force, akin to Grande of Panthers last season.
Standing at 6’6, he filled the net, the rink, the bay and most of South Wales. He was drafted by Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round in 2021, so had that pedigree that was on full display.
He has experience in the OHL and the ECHL, particularly with recent Kelly Cup champions, Trois-Rivieres Lions and Indy Fuel, as well as 4 game stint in the AHL, with Laval Rocket.
He is only 22 years old.
He dealt with 54 SOG throughout the game, with 2 very well-worked goals managing to get by him, but he left a lasting impression in South Wales, earning his team an impressive victory.
3. Devils Once Again Faced a Physical Battle, May Have to Live with Their New Trait
From the initial signings to the final outlay of the roster, one thing stood out.
Physicality.
This would be the foundation of the team. Of the new era under a new coach. (Again).
It was the hallmark of the series vs LM side, Gap, which saw a rambunctious battle over the weekend and Devils comfortably skate away with 4 missing starters.
The hits, scrums, intensity and fights delighted, as it should.
With Quebecois Concordia arriving in town, the feeling was, that the age, strength and experience would overwhelm the opposition.
Likely, the only source to appeal to caution, was right here and I was right.
The issue of goals vs physicality would undoubtedly roll on, as that was the entirety of that game. An intense, physical battle, against this Canadian team, a team with a higher IQ on the ice, which saw less penalties being given.
This never stopped the off-the-puck shenanigans and afters after whistles, which drew the ire of Sam Duggan, Jimmy Oligny and Nolan Yaremko, alike.
With 3 of our own players from the same province, who grew up likely on the same sheets of ice, leagues and systems, this was an interesting bout.
Add in the fatigue, this piled on the pressure to find the back of the net.
After the 10-2 series win over Gap, there might have been some feelings that goals were no problem. However, even if or when you do run into a hot goalie, if ‘the goal scoring is there’, then shouldn’t be an issue to turn over the game.
Granted, they were missing key players, with one of the forwards yet to start for Devils and Davies was also absent on the night.
Sanford however, could have been a key contributor as he is more playmaker than goal scorer and that is with speculating, that he wouldn’t have gotten drawn into the fray like he had done the previous 2 seasons.
This aside, it was an embattled performance against a determined team that was driven to prove themselves, playing without fear and even an air of arrogance about them.
One team certainly looked scouted, the result all but confirmed it, however, this would also present a fire to potentially put out.
If that was seen on game tape by any of their EIHL rivals, it was a dress rehearsal of how to use physicality to wrangle the puck off the Devils and prevent grade A scoring chances.
Sometimes, physicality isn’t needed.
4. Lacroix Lumbering, Looking Out of Place
As mentioned in the post game review from last weekend, one noticeable trait on the ice for Cedric Lacroix was the lack of pace and ability to keep up with engines such as Perlini and Barrow.
He started again on the 2nd line, notably due to the lack of top 6 players yet to start and get going and even with the added beastings the new coach has put the team through during the week, the lack of elite fitness for this team is showing.
He does have good traits though, his hands to find hard angle passes under pressure helped to get him out of tight spots when surrounded by a system that defensively, they will swarm in the zone.
Strong with the puck and has good vision to find players.
Adding to his lack of pace however, was an alarming part of his game on Sunday evening. Faceoffs.
Not very often it happens, but to see someone in a fishbowl literally win a face-off then put Lacroix on the deck, not once, but twice, was very eye opening.
It looks fun when it happens and when you do it to someone, it feels great. When it is done to you, it is embarrassing.
With very limited shifts throughout the night, he made one defensive play that helped to turn the puck over, then in turn, found himself stuck in the mud, chasing his man.
With a huge gulp of air in and concentrated strides to get some acceleration going, the shadow he was chasing got away from him with ease and instead of going for a change when the puck carrier was held up the other end of the ice, he tried to yank the puck back from behind.
He ended up sitting for hooking, with the play started initially behind his own net.
It was woeful and concerning.
This is what preseason is all about, get conditioned, hone in the skills, work off the excess and phase out the mistakes.
Readiness however, is expected at this stage, so far, the writing on this wall paints one thoughtful picture.
5. Barrow Fired Up, Leading Early
One of the highlights of last weekends double header was the drive, focus and relentlessness of Ryan Barrow. This continued in buckets and spades.
One of a few who played as expected, the others being Brandt, as in all fairness, he was also fired up, but from a different perspective and Olischefksi, who, like Barrow, worked hard to settle the game and then take it by the scruff and launch themselves into action.
Another was Joey Martin, who was deft with this hands and worked smart against a very disruptive opponent on the night.
Again, leadership stripes were up for grabs, so far it is this group, with Duggan (minus Brandt) who sings the loudest for the honour.
Barrow provided something different. For the second Devils goal, he forechecked hard, which allowed Estes to calmly move through space, find Barrow again, who set up Perlini for a cracking shot on goal, one that meant something to them all.
So, despite how embattled and fatigued they were, especially in terms of their preparation, they really wanted to get everything right. To a man.
Each Barrow stepped onto the ice, the game felt like it was tilted back in Devils’ favour. Even off the puck, to move through the NZ was a tall order and when a puck carrier couldn’t find that outlet pass and didn’t want to risk a giveaway from a dump and chase, they were immediately corralled to the boards and turned over anyway.
The only players who skate through the tightly guarded lanes were Barrow, Brandt and Olischefski.
Barrow was a man on fire, Brandt a man possessed and Olischefksi absorbing his role with ease.
Even though on paper these are the core of the bottom 6, so far, they could flip that on its head and it is warranted.
His assist added to a promising start for this off-season, backing up his own expectations for this season. He certainly isn’t a passenger and hopefully, maybe, this will be his breakout season.
Up Next, Player Spotlight; Ryan Barrow
Funny how that goes.
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