Breaking Down the Opening Stage of the Season

This weekend Devils face off at home against a stubborn Clan outfit before a crucial road game vs Steelers, which would determine the outlook of their group in the cup.

It has been a pretty decent start to Paul Thompsons’ tenure in their initial 10 games across the EIHL, here is how it has shaped up for the men in red, including the best and worst of their top performers, a short review on the coach and a look ahead to the weekend;

1. Brandon Estes

After a scintillating start to the EIHL season, he drew in a lot of praise and plaudits across the fan base, commentary and rightfully so.

At one stage he went 7 points in 3GP then continued to add.

His offensive flair has boosted his team during key games, with a keen IQ and excellent poise with the puck. He can shut down plays defensively with ease, knows when and how to play poke checks, especially to disrupt plays along the boards.

One thing he can work on is the breakout play as the power play QB, as it can disrupt momentum, which has been evident in their PP attempts failing recently.

He moves incredibly well with the puck, which is the most frustrating part, the hesitation can be worked on as the season draws on, so it is not that much of a worry.

His last goal was at the start of the month vs Blaze but hasn’t put up any points in the last 3 games. One would think this will be turned around very soon.

2. Kristoff Kontos

He is a player that can sometime go unnoticed and has been moved across the middle deck quite often, but he is always one to think of that can be a spark plug for his team.

The 31 year old is in his 2nd season in the EIHL and has a big role to fill, so far, it seems that is being honoured.

He is one apple away from 50 overall in the league and looks very likely to continue adding them.

He is yet to really combine with his line mates on a dynamic level that can be very dangerous, but the hall marks are there.

In the cup, he stacked up 9 points with 3 goals and 6 helpers and after a two game blank on the scoresheet, he added another helped vs Panthers to go 10 from 10. A point per game pace isn’t bad for a player that you can often miss on the ice.

3. Cole Sanford

You could split the 10 games played right down the middle for the skilled forward who is in his 5th season as a Devil.

He is just 13 points from 300 in the EIHL, with 6 goals from 150 and 7 helpers also from 150. He is primed to be one of the best for the Devils.

He started the campaign with electric fashion, a man who wanted to stand on business and bury away any doubts about his value to the club.

He put up 3 goals in consecutive games, adding 4 helpers to the haul, then after 5GP, added another apple for 8 points in that time.

Since then however, he only added a single assist, with no goals scored in 7 straight.

Still, he has notched 9 points across 10GP, which reads good, but the story has started to take shape, will get be able to break the skid and reignite a goal streak?

4. Nolan Yaremko

Another player who started how, got the blood boiling against the opposition and was absolutely no ones first thought for a fight with the group that has been constructed, he has also started hot, then slipped away of late.

With 7 points in 8 games during cup action so far, he has proven to be good value. His nuance for getting around watchful blue liners, making hard passes and getting to net has helped to add stability for his line and the forwards group as a whole.

He is afraid to get physical or chippy and can more than handle his own, a quiet guy going about his game that you do not want to get into a donnybrook with.

Similar to Kontos, he has chipped in, more so for here and there than anything dominant, with 8 points from 10GP in the EIHL at this very early stage.

Similar to Sanford, he hasn’t scored since that thrashing vs Flames, going 7 straight without lightning the lamp, so it is again just a matter of time before something goes in.

Despite the down turns, they are all helping to create opportunities, but generating roughly 2.7 SOG per game won’t bring in much if you aren’t an elite sharp shooter.

It is food for thought, as a pattern is clearly forming.

5. Jimmy Oligny

The experienced blue liner has been a breath of fresh air, with a skating ability to match Fournier’s and an IQ that somehow exceeds former Devil, Andrew MacWilliam’s.

Another who has cruised in with helpers, putting up 7 assists in 8GP in the cup, then adding another last weekend for the same haul as Yaremko’s, he is yet to score a goal as a Devil.

His play on the top line helps Estes to find shooting lanes and to carry the puck into the OZ, with his shut down play at a ferocious pace that seems to good for this level.

He can get fiery at times and isn’t afraid to get involved when things break down, showing his commitment and respect for all his team mates, a true example of a great leader.

He helped to carry the team through the start of the campaign, whilst Martin was injured and at times, they looked so well knit, it became a worry that the Goat might not be missed, but his impact with the team and his supporting leadership group was amplified when he did return.

Oligny plays with a carefully calculated edge, with an outlet pass that can sometimes defy conventional plays, often accurate tape to tape, creating more chances on net. His back checking and marshalling of the DZ is second to none, but it would be great to see him paired with Fournier as well.

6. Ryan Barrow

This has arguably been his best start to a pro season to date, with a dazzling display of grit, determination, strength, no fuss and all offense.

He is a player who has scored in both EIHL competitions so far, which is rare at this stage for this squad.

His heroics on the road vs Nottingham has earned him even more praise, in a succession of games that has seen him elevated from the 3rd to the top line and no one deserves it more.

He is 7 goals away from 50 in the EIHL, a feat that looks very achievable at his pace.

Continuing his grind during pre-season, he has found ways to contribute on and off the scoresheet with thunderous hits, hard drives to the OZ and net and a nuisance to battle against.

He is the literal engine to the entire organisation right now.

So far, he is tied with Sanford at 9 points from 10GP, outscoring him 6 to 3.

Last season Barrow just about notched 9 goals across all EIHL competitions and already he his two thirds to that total and it is not even November yet.

He is at a point per game pace in his L5GP, with the shutout loss decimating some streaks but is 3 from 2 in the league since that woeful weekend.

He is a key player that now has an ecstatic cult following, as he is doing all the right things and playing as the kind of Cardiff Devil everyone expects.

7. Ben Bowns

It took him till the latter stage of the previous season to finally claim a shutout, in a season he almost dominated from start to finish.

Even with injury set backs and a locker room that lost sight on their common goal as the season wore on, he was always the man to keep his team in games with a chance to claim vital points.

He started this season no different and is currently one of the leaders overall across all goalies.

He is also reportedly 2 shutouts away from 50 all time as a Devil, he has hit 30 in all EIHL competitions to date this season.

All records I have found state 36, including 2 in the Continental Cup.

He is already at 2 shutouts this season, in both EIHL competitions, improving on last season immediately. So, in his testimonial year, it looks to be another one for the history books for the mythical figure that is Ben Bowns.

8. Paul Thompson

So far under coach Thompsons’ watchful gaze, the Devils have started to develop an identity most fans are used to. He gets it.

He has been a cool customer during interviews, honest to a fault, apologetic when needed, offers praise when it is right to do so.

Even with a win, he isn’t afraid to admit tweaks are needed here and there and his approach is cultured. Not just matured.

Of all the expectations surrounding his appointment, including the good, the bad and the ugly, he is still only 10 games into this season proper and so far the record is 7 – 3 – 0 in both competitions.

The only blight so far was the home stand losses, including a shutout that derailed a high chance of automatic qualification with 2 games spare. Now they have to hit the road vs his old team to get the job done.

Early growing pains are always expected, but with the work ethic that goes into the operations, the club are in good hands.

It is evident when the team don’t seem to be getting the best chances or luck on net or even seem to be ebbing on low energy. That is proven by the way they can come back and win tight games or just out work their opponents enough to keep them at bay.

The response to the woeful weekend of home games was superb, the enormity of it meant that he is now 100% on the road vs Panthers. Quite a feat.

Their style has even changed in the short span of time since the season opener, from a rambunctious, in your face, very physical game, to a fluid, calculated game of precision and high IQ moments.

His tactics and methods are certainly showing, however, since the game vs Flames, they have yet to truly run away with another. This calls again the question, do they have enough to run up the scoresheet?

So far, the answer is no. The defensive game has been the key factor, which he added to during the week.

A 6’7 monster who is a fantastic shut down blue liner, that seems responsible with his game management. One that surely solidifies a really good defensive group, providing options elsewhere whilst Lacroix is sidelined with an upper body injury.

It is highly likely the thoughts are that the players missing so far on the goal sheet would find their form again. But, out of 10 games so far, only one has been a real standout.

9. Josh MacDonald

Last seasons Devils leader for points has struggled to get going this season, with just 2 goals and 4 points overall.

These were all contributed during cup play, his last goal scored on an empty net at home vs Storm. Since then, he has been on a pointless streak for 5 games straight.

In those 10 games he has attempted less than 50 shots, with most hitting the target at 57%. With just 2 goals scored, far more is expected from him, but this could also be that famous second season slump.

Going pointless for this many games is not like MacDonald, but other parts of his game have made up the loss of scoring presence on net.

His defensive game is resolute and he seems to be playing with more grit this season. Against the Panthers last weekend, he made an incredible back check to stop a breakaway chance, that play lead to the GWG from Barrow.

Similar to Sanford, I would imagine once that goal finally goes in, the jets are on and the league would be on notice.

10. Ben Davies

Davies started so hot, it felt like hell was here and everyone was witness to the fiery depths that came with it. It was an incredible start to his campaign, going 3 games straight with goals and an assist to boot.

4 points from the opening three was inspirational and the entire fanbase was delirious.

However, since that game vs Flames, it seems those who started at hot, have slowly or completely dropped off.

Davies has now gone 7 straight without a point, however, that start puts him to 50% against the previous season for all goals scored in the EIHL.

You would have to go back to 2020 for him to log a double digit return in goals for a regular season, as his role is to provide key energy and momentum on the 4th line.

His accuracy is extremely high, despite lower production, 88% for all attempts on net is a brilliant return, he, like others need some extra puck luck.

11. Trends = Habits

It is indicative of how their performances have gone, lots of looks, minimal to no cigar as a reward, which can let others teams claw back or even skate away as victors, despite the Devils dominance.

Although the group should be able to figure it out, it is an early warning sign that whilst there was a loss of a 7th D man, maybe adding a quality goal scoring forward would help lift the others that are clearly struggling throughout the line up.

They are shy by 7 goals overall, with a shutout against them compared to last season, not to mention the lowest average was at last 2 goals per game.

A lot of chances per game for the Devils haven’t resulted in conversions for the scoresheet, with a lot of of those as mere looks that haven’t tested or pushed the opposing goalies to react, scramble or even lose their focus.

It is a trait inherent with the bulk of the team, which inevitably sees players sulk off to the penalty box as their own competitiveness and frustrations get the better of them.

This was also raised and pointed out by the coach, so it is not an unfounded view.

12. Next Opponents

Glasgow Clan

Their next opponents do not provide any statistical value in relation to form as both have to their own effect, thrown it completely out of the window, mainly from the outcomes of their games against each other.

Clan could get shutout one week by Storm, then take 4 points home or away from Steelers. It doesn’t make much sense other than, it really is hockey and it is so back.

Despite one of the heaviest hits to an EIHL roster this season, with players retiring early or taking other opportunities elsewhere, Clan have managed to maintain some form of structure and persistence to stay in games.

This has given them some early opportunity and developed some thrilling and exciting climaxes to games that have been at large, tightly contested. Whilst they have good scoring options, from Langan (19 points) and Burke (10 points), with others such as Schwartz, Sideroff and Neumann, they are never short on options.

Despite having a litany of goal threats, they are reticent to convert, similar to Devils. In the league, they are at a flat 2.0 GFA, with a 3.0 GAA.

Comparing to Devils, which is at 3.0 GFA and 1.0 GAA, it seems the tie is destined for one outcome. However, as in recent clashes, particularly early season, the winners usually score no more than 3, which aligns with their overall outputs at this stage.

The question is, could Clan pull off another smash and grab against one of the big teams, again? So far, they have taken wins against Steelers and Giants, yet have fallen to Stars and Storm in their efforts to late.

Sheffield Steelers

They have recently acquired Mitchell Heard from the Clan, in a not so surprising but shock move, as it became clear he and the old Clan locker room didn’t gel so much.

This came off the back of an interview where coach Aaron Fox openly laid out some frustrations of his team, where he expected better and hinted at changes.

The response was good initially, with a Cliff Pu natural hat trick midweek vs Blaze, however, they succumbed to Clan on the road.

They average slightly higher for their GFA at 3.33 but are one off for the GAA at 2.33, minus 1.33 overall in the league vs Devils.

They met already in the cup, losing in OT on the road to the Devils, but have lost 50% of their home games in all EIHL comps so far.

Last season saw the strangest swing result metric, with both teams victorious over each at home, but failed to win on the road at either barn. Devils won overall on the season, eliminating them from the Challenge Cup, to reach one of 3 finals for the South Wales club last season.

The storied history between these teams shares a very close win/loss outcome, as both love to win against the other. A lot is riding on this match up. For one, it decides who might move ahead in an automatic spot, the goal being the team, with the highest win%.

The other, is to keep up or win back momentum. For the Devils it’s to get back on track in the cup and begin to wrap things up, but to also take that annoy itch off their back when on the road. They have done it twice vs Panthers already, why not where other teams have also found victory?

For the Steelers, it is to restore reputation. They pride themselves on being the gold standard. They expect to win each game and to dominate on the ice.

So far, they have been neither here nor there but consistent with being inconsistent, so time will tell if the off season acquisitions are really up to snuff.

Aside from Gentile and Jasper (14 points from 11GP each), the rest are yet to truly get going overall. Of course, the main danger man is EIHL Face-Off Podcast hero, Mitchell Balmas (12 points from 11GP).

That’s three players at a glance who have shown more signs of production compared to the Devils top group, so they need to be dialled back in for a tough weekend of hockey.