League Record So Far; 7 – 1- 1, 15pts, 2nd Place
L5GP; 4 – 1 – 0
CARDIFF, WALES – It took a long time, but Devils finally ended another poor record against a rival, as they swept aside a Steelers team that had no answer for their visitors, which would be etched into the memory of Devils fans for a long time.
On the 8th attempt since October 2023 across both league and cup, the trend of home team wins was finally ended, with 4 unanswered goals for the good guys and a memorable shutout for Bowns to add to a tremendous weekend of Devils hockey.
There was a call in the weekend preview for a statement to be made, which would provide a significant boost for the players and fans alike.
From Discipline…
It would also announce that there is more to this team than high PIMS counts and knuckles being thrown about.
After 9GP and before they embark upon a Scottish triple header, the Devils had managed an average of league tying best for discipline, at 5PIMS/Game.
A huge turn around from previous seasons.
This has been without some legs in the roster, with the likes of Yaremko, who is known to get chippy and drop the mitts and Lacroix, who was more than expected to do this.
Also, with Brandt, who has gone more than 50 PIMS per season in the last 3 campaigns (without challenge cup or playoffs).
Then, adding in Helgesen, who was massively touted as being a high PIMS taker.
This lead to a general view that Devils would drop well off the leaders and contenders and struggle for much other than providing entertainment this season.
To Goal Tending…
So far, they have been everything and more, including 3 shoutouts from 7GP for Ben Bowns, earning a significant milestone in the clubs’ history, all within his testimonial season.
After 20 games between them, the tandem have secured 5 shutouts, 25% of games played so far across both EIHL competitions.
Bowns is currently at 0.99 GAA with a 96.22 SV% in the league after a solid cup campaign, with one game vs Blaze the only blemish so far.
Stoever in his rookie season as a pro, has so far secured a career win and first shutout in 9GP, earning a respectable 2.30 GAA and 92.18 SV%.
This was a tandem that most would have had at 4th best, against the likes of last seasons top 3 teams. So far, these goalies combined with the revamped defence has ensured they can claim victories in tight games.
This weekend however, has seen a resurgence of the long awaited forwards who have yet to get going.
The Game Makers Took Off… Sort of..
With 3 points vs Giants, Sanford finally looked to get back in the habit of scoring again, however as soon as he made a point streak take shape, he went pointless again on Sunday.
He has 2 goals to score before he reaches 150 EIHL all time and is 6 points from 300 EIHL all time as well. The hope would be, that the bug is there and over turn an unproductive Sunday vs Steelers.
MacDonald after having a severely dry spell on the scoresheet has now gone back to back with goals for the first time this season, scoring in both games.
He is now 3 points in his last 2GP, not quite a wagon or on a hot streak, but the foundation is there. Scotland awaits.
Barrow also got on the scoresheet for the first time in 4 games after his impressive start, on a line that was finally given the chance to play, with Caponi and Olischefski. It works and long may it stay.
He is a goal shy of equalling last seasons EIHL scoring efforts, with 8 goals in 19GP in both league and cup so far. Barrow is projected to 36 for the season, which would be his best yet in the EIHL, however I would wager closer to 40.
Perlini is at a point per game in league action so far, but like the game vs Steelers, he has dropped a game, then gone on back to back games with points. Literally. Whilst he leads the team in points, Sanford and Barrow are joint top with goals in the league (4).
Whilst the Goat, Joey Martin is 2nd overall for Devils in the league for points (8), he has now gone 5 games straight in the league without a goal.
Supporting the leading cast, is the Devils assists leader, Brandon Estes, with 7 in the league so far. He is also the only player on a significant point streak, with 8 points in 6GP, scoring his only goal so far in regular season during that time.
After a brace of apples vs Steelers, Jimmy Oligny has secured 5 assists in his last 6 league games, adding to his dynamic shut down play, allowing Estes to move the puck more freely. He would be better suited with Fournier for that Quebecois flair that could hopefully kickstart his own season properly.
On the weekend, another blue liner activated really well, testing the lanes and asking questions of his opponents, putting up 3 assists, similar to Martin. That is Tyson Helgeson.
This has likely been his best as a Devil right now, especially with newcomer MacClean being moved to the forward lines (and scoring), highlighting there is a lot more to this group than what their records going into the season had initially shown.
The Devil is in the Detail, after all…
Devils put 9 goals past their opponents who were tipped for the top of the table at the start of the season. In the process, they snapped a 5 game win streak in the league for the hosts, as well as that win at home trend against them.
This season they have also found success in a barn that to many had seemed cursed, before getting a well deserved and over due, dominant win vs Giants.
They are still a step or two behind in terms of being prolific goal scorers, however as mentioned, defensively is the key area that was worked on and it is so far, paying off.
They are leading the league for GA (14), but are quite far off in their goal differential, with Panthers leading at +19, going at +14 with the nearest being Storm at +13 and Steelers at +13, whilst Giants are at +2.
Their 6 wins from 9GP has helped them sit at the top of the league by win% with 83, Panthers with a game played more than Devils and a loss more, have 80% overall for wins (R+OT).
For the special teams, this is where the work is clearly still needed and by the lines that have been rotated so far, the coaching tea, still isn’t settled on their preferred players. It used to be the baby of Sam Duggan, who until this past weekend, has been a passenger along for the ride and seemed out of place whilst out there on the ice.
The PK is bang in the middle with a respectable 82.35%, where as the Steelers sit top with 100% after 9GP each. Quite a gap.
Then, the power play. Once again, Steelers command a league leading 34.78%, where as Devils languish last place with just 4%. That is right, just one PPG after 25 opportunities.
It is surprising as they lead with Giants for shots generated (37) and proving their defensive prowess with the least shots against, (SA Av) at 25.22, so seeing them so low and off the pace for their special teams is a surprise, even despite inherited habits of the power play.
Despite Big Answers Delivered, more questions are being asked
It really nods to having genuine specialists, over a majority of grazers in a field collecting similar, low yields to clear the space as a collective, over a longer period of time.
Is it cost effective? Is it hopeful of getting a job done?
We have already seen progression scenarios in the cup, based on results, but ultimately could have been swayed by the finer details. Such as goal difference, goals scored, goals conceded. They all play a larger role in the win/loss column.
Two significant moments in the cup all but secured elimination, despite a strong start. Losing 6:5 at home and being blanked 5 nothing at home the same weekend, for a team that has the defensive capability, it cannot last forever.
So when you start leaking those yields, you need big time assets to bulk up and avoid a loss in the long run.
This club has already been denied that in the very same way a few seasons ago after losing 3:1 vs Blaze. It isn’t a new scenario, it might not happen, however having the mentality to ensure it should never happen, by having a team that can be ruthless in all situations, is a team that can truly be counted and accepted as challengers.
This coming weekend will be a tough gruel, but there are games in that schedule where they should really look to improve these areas and prove more to themselves that this weekend wasn’t a one off.
There is More to come
With the mounting injury list that included Brandt, Yaremko and Lacroix, they were also missing home town forward Bayley Harewood.
Devils aren’t alone in this, with other teams much worse off. It has presented the opportunity for experimentation and adding the Denver Pio line was a a great call.
I mean, it was called for since before pre-season even arrived.
Especially to have Caponi further up the roster. Which has paid off in spades. Despite some lower numbers. He is effective on the forecheck, can back check with pace, makes good decisions to reset and doesn’t flounder around awkwardly and blocks shots without fear.
Yaremko started hot before his injury then re-injury, however, he did go off the boil, there was always a presence about him that would see players bounce off his body on and off the puck, with swathes of space for the likes of Sanford for example to skate into.
Brandt is having one of his best seasons, projected for a season best 33 points. If he keeps up his efforts so far, he should ensure that 3rd line spot and maybe match that tally.
Perlini is at a point per game pace, which makes him a bench mark to surpass for his line mates and team mates. Martin, Sanford and MacDonald would all look to get their production well and truly under way
One for a case of more room for improvement, is Kontos, who seems to get lucky goals but not quite the finished, polished presentation most would have expected.
Currently, he sits at less than Brandt in what he is projected for the season (30), woefully short of his previous, playoff winning season with Panthers.
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