Festive Season Part Two; Boxed

League Record So Far; 17 – 3 – 4, 38pts, 1st Place

L10GP; 8 – 0 – 2

Series vs Blaze; 4:0

CARDIFF, WALES – The follow up to the initial festive clash did not disappoint, as gloves were dropped early, rumbles and scrums ensued, goals were scored, shutout secured and that wasn’t all on a night of domination, ill discipline and delight for the good guys in a huge road win.

Here are some key takeaways from that game and a reflection on their season so far;

1. The Enigma of Riley Brandt Continues, after he ‘Set The Tone’

The previous game he got a game ejection that wasn’t necessary considering he would have been technically third man in with Constable, after Davies initially engaged the forward following a really solid hit along the boards.

The frustrations brewed so to speak from off the puck and behind the play antics from the Blaze skater, with an earlier challenge ignored from Brandt.

It nearly paid off for the visitors on Boxing Day, with 4 unanswered PPG’s, on the major penalty. So, seeing Brandt in the line up the following night raised an eyebrow, especially.

Much was speculated for a suspension, but that was hogwash and if anyone thought his actions really warranted a game ejection, then the sport is toast.

Sense prevailed and following a cagey opening sequence, a call was answered from the ill-fated Connor Russell, who ended up having a nightmare game in a dingy barn.

Brandt accepted the challenge, as any competent hockey player would and utterly delivered a maelstrom of malice upon his combatant. 1-0 Brandt on the night.

This shook the hosts, who descended into an ill-disciplined malaise across the game. The tone however, was well and truly set.

They racked up 37 PIMS on the night out of 62 in total. Typical for a festive clash between two very bitter, old rivals. One that was gratefully accepted by the visiting fans.

Blaze accounted for 9 individual penalties from delay of game to roughing, to cross checking to tripping. They saved their best for last, as Clements got a game ejection for abuse of officials, then to cap it off, their coach also got chucked from the match, with 90s left.

From veteran Brit players to their imports, to their coach, a chaotic display of lack of control, discipline and any talent.

Brandt wasn’t done there, as he pinched a pass from the point from none other than Russell himself to launch into a breakaway to bury the puck past a hapless goalie who had no help at all during the game. 2-0 Brandt.

He wore his opponents down, created space for attacking plays and never let his guard down, allowing his team to build from the DZ through each part of the ice, an engine that inspired his team.

2. Goals galore, despite the odds against them

It was well documented and long debated about whether this group had what it took to make their mark and produce to a standard not seen in more than 3 seasons, especially in comparison to the outcome of the previous campaign.

What is important to note, has been a fully fit squad to select from at this stage, whereas last season, despite leading the league with a healthy gap, they relied upon MacDonald a LOT to bail them out and this was where the tyres started to deflate, save for the Conti Cup final.

Across these two games, 14 goals were scored, 10 by the Devils, which they have now gone to 3.92 GFA, their highest for quite some time and lead the league in goals with 94.

This is all despite Sanford not scoring as much and MacDonald not putting up any contribution until the end of November. Quite the feat.

Of those 14 goals, all of the ones scored by Blaze were on the PP, with 2 more from the good guys and a short handed marker. 3 of the goals were on breakaways and two on the 2nd game were even strength.

In total, there were 8 PPGs, with the even strength markers all from the good guys, a total of 5. Blaze’s last even strength goal was vs Sheffield on December 21st.

You would have to go back to the 14th December for their last multi-goal game at even strength.

Devils meanwhile had increased their stock on the PP, with 17.39% for a continued stay at 9th overall, however, the gap from a respectable 20% at least has been closed, with the next nearest to that total, Guildford Flames, up next.

Leading goals for Devils currently is Sanford with MacDonald & Olischefski (11), then Kontos and Martin with 10 each.

Riley Brandt has now gone 4th overall in scoring in the league this season for the Devils with 7. He has a 75% shot production in terms of attempts with SOG, going for 11.6% accuracy overall. For his ice time, he has really stood out.

In terms of a ‘top 10’ for shooting %’s for forwards, Brandt would be 7th overall, Lacroix for instance would be 11th, not even in the top 10.

If defenders were included, Fournier would rank overall at 9th, as he is a massive distance ahead of the next nearest blue liner, Oligny (5.8%).

3. Bowns ‘Bagel’ – Again!

It is a term I love, so when you seen an owner tweet it, it makes the shutout all the more sweeter. Beyond appreciation of good word smithing and gimmicky puns, Bowns would look back at that as a reward to his team for some eggs that were laid in his own net the night before.

Had Stoever been on the bench, from going down 4:2, you would have accepted a goalie change, however Bowns was left to sort it out and that he did.

He then answered back with his 7th shutout of this campaign and his third in 4 games vs Blaze throughout regular season play. He needs one more to tie his best ever season overall.

A truly exceptional record.

4. Point Streaks Extended

Sanford has now hit a 7 game run with points per game, breaking a 4 game skid in goals scored. His tally after those 7 games is now at 2G, 9A. After 301GP, his points total from that is 314. Exceptional.

Kontos maintains his own point per game pace of late, at 10 from his L10GP. Tracing back to November 9th, it remains at 16 points in 16GP, following a 2 game skid. His most back to back.

Olischefksi marked his 100th EIHL game with a shorthanded, breakaway marker, a feat that was repeated throughout the night vs Blaze. His tally now sits at 4 games straight, with 2 each in lamps lit and apples provided.

5. Full Roster Reaping Rewards

It is no mistake that being in this position with the GF at 94 is down to having a good team and a competent coaching staff.

The play has been gutsy, energetic, detailed and tireless. Where there have been blips here and there, the response has usually been in the right way.

Compared to last season, at this stage, with missing forwards, an offensively absent defensive group and unbeknownst to the rest of the fanbase, more to come on that front, wins here and there papered over a crevasse that was slowly forming.

It ended up being a festering wound that became untreatable.

The goals average then was 3.62. They ended up with 3.30.

Their L10GP at that time of year was 6 – 2 – 2, so the trend was forming. Since November 15th, Devils haven’t lost in regulation. It is some feat.

The team is largely the same, with hardly a like for like replacement in the forwards group. Even the goal tending was experimental. The caveat, a strong starter in Bowns.

The season started slow, despite grinding out wins, especially for key players, such as Fournier, Sanford and MacDonald. Yet, the wins came in, shutouts too. Even wins away vs Panthers and a tilt in dominance vs Giants.

One explanation could be that whilst the other teams around them are equally as good (on their day), they simply haven’t performed as well as they would like. Another, for the sake of Panthers, is that they are experiencing the same problems as Devils last season, for injuries.

They have no excuses though, they haven’t travelled abroad for Conti Cup, nor had to play until the end of the December for the domestic cup, with a rare win for Devils in a memorable night down the Vindico.

Giants’ schedule has kept them quiet of late, yet, with games in hand, they could go above Devils, despite not playing that great hockey, aside from against Scottish teams.

The rest of the pack resign to accepting their fate against larger clubs, then it is a dual to the end for max points against each other.

This month in particular has been one of the busiest for signings and departures, both good and bad.

Yet, Devils have just gone about their business, unapologetically, which makes you think, what on earth happened on that Triple Header?

Panthers had set the tone early on in the season, launching ahead in every factor, aside from in net. Their current tally matches the same as the Devils last season, with the same issues.

Curse of the Continental Cup?

They are even ahead of Steelers by a vast margin, who are overall 4 goals behind at the same stage last season. So, whilst it looks extremely impressive, the teams around them aren’t firing yet.

Which is still a good thing.

We have now seen the rise of Olischefski, as he is now 3rd overall in points for the season proper in his team with 21, last season he ended with 33. As a first line centre.

No one talked about him in the pre-season or the off season, with many, myself included, expecting him to drop to 3rd line with Barrow and Caponi/Lacroix.

He thought otherwise and has been on a tear, set for his best pro season yet, projected at 48 points. He could hit 50.

MacDonald has finally found his groove and Sanford has been pulling the strings week in, week out. The third line is the most productive in years, with 57 points spread between Perlini – Kontos – Barrow, currently.

Last season it was 49 overall if you had Duggan – Busch – Barrow.

Then, there is the offensive impact from the blue liners. Oligny, Mosey, Fournier and Estes doing the lions share and heavy lifting. Between them, in any combination, is the strongest top 4 unit in the league. Whether paired as D1 or D2, they will be as strong as the other.

Last season, there was 106 points in total between MacWilliam – Donaghey, Fournier – Mosey.

This season to date, the top 4 have a 61 point spread. We are not even half way into the season proper at this stage. Over 57% already.

Projected, they are expected to hit 137 points. Plus 29%.

With Fournier, projected less than last season even, despite his recent awakening, that is proof of his slow start.

That again, could increase however, once he really dials in.

The challenge now is for each individual to keep improving and for the coach to motivate them to keep doing what they are doing.

It is clearly working.

For a supposed ‘mid table team’ – the tone has been set and they await for the call to go answered.

Three Stars of the Weekend