Weekend Preview: Fiery Storm Incoming

League Record So Far; 4 – 1 – 1, 9pts, 3rd Place

CARDIFF, WALES – Devils host Manchester Storm on Saturday evening for their second league game of the week, before finishing off their group stage games in the cup at Flames the following day.

Devils have been victorious against both opponents so far this season, all three in the cup, with a barn storming rout of the Flames, before a tense, fraught and physical weekend series vs Storm, which saw over 180 PIMS across the series.

The tactics were a bit uncouth, however they nearly worked, slowing down the momentum and speed of the Devils, limiting them to little playable hockey.

Flames, have started disastrously then seemed to rebound, before a second consecutive season of injuries mounting up already.

They moved quickly, to secure the services of Steelers signed Nick Seitz, whilst adding some two way depth from the NIHL.

It is likely to not see Seitz ice this weekend, which might be a slight relief for the travelling Devils players, meaning they could very well match up against a short benched, road weary team.

For their visit of Storm, they are against a form team, despite the latest power rankings from game week 7

They have one regulation loss in their last 5 EIHL games and currently place 4th, one point behind Devils with one less game played (prior to face-off on Friday night).

Devils’ loss on the road to Giants meant they are now 3 – 1 – 1 in their L5GP, taking 7 points vs Storms’ 8 overall.

In the league, both teams have picked up 4 wins, each having one in OT.

For the ever present concern of goal scoring, Storm also lead vs Devils, 20:16 with one less game played, defensively, Storm are 2nd to Giants with GA at 8:9 in favour against the home team.

This will not only be a must win to bounce back for the Devils, but one for saving face, as the hockey wide community had Storm for a bottom two finish, especially a defensive set up that would struggle.

So far, they are out performing Devils in the league and have matched their goals for in the cup. A lot of food for thought.

This has also been helped as Drew DeRidder has earned himself a 0.67GAA and 98.23SV%, albeit from 3GP.

Flames would be looking to avoid finishing last in their cup group again since the embarrassing decision to split a 10 team league to 6 and 4.

Although they have improved their points return this time around, a win for Flames would lift them to 5th overall, leaving Devils cemented to 4th.

Adding to Flames’ injury woes, Justin Fazio who started on a simmer then went to a full burn had to be switched mid game vs Steelers in midweek action, leaving former Devils, Taz Burman, as the choice starter, following Jake Kupsky‘s injury earlier on in the season.

Burman got the starters net for Friday night, so it would be interesting to see if Fazio recovers by Sunday.

Ones to Watch

For Devils, the man who has been leading the team this season, Ryan Barrow is a strong shout for October MVP, https://x.com/hockeysteve8719/status/1984215249822851366?t=mwU6qau_Njf9gJ7dscY4nw&s=08.

With 5 goals and 8 points in October, he lead the way through a month of ups and downs for his team, seeing him truly get rewarded with time on the top line.

For the Storm, Joseph Nardi has been in a good run of form, with 6 points in 5GP in the league.

Flames have had a good return so far from another former Devil, Cole Ully, who is 3rd overall in the points for the league with 7 from 6GP.