New Years Recap; Devils Denied Twice by Flames

League Record So Far; 17 – 5 – 4, 38pts, 2nd Place

L10GP; 7 – 1 -2

CARDIFF, WALES – Devils’ impressive unbeaten run in regulation came to an end in a bitterly frustrating way, as their New Years’ Festive Hockey opponent found a way to shut them down and skate away with 4 vital points.

It might only be the crux point of the season, at nearly the half way stage, but those are massive points missed for the Devils and much needed wins over them for their southern rivals.

Here are some key points about games that will be forgotten in a hurry, to an extent;

1. Details Missing for Devils

It was a back to back phase of hockey fixtures against the same team that only saw line up adjustments, but habits crept back in, with a lot to be desired as the result.

The first game ended in a single goal shutout, the 2nd of their contests in Guildford this campaign. This time to the hosts.

Lacklustre, uninterested and devoid of urgency would be immediate reflections for their performance.

Only until after the goal went in, then there was a sense of urgency. Ultimately, too little, too late.

Both goalies made the same amount of saves, with more shot attempts for the hosts, something unlike the Devils, which for shots attempted averages at 39 per game.

The power play also returned to form after finding some rizz vs Blaze, however, they let in 4 consecutive PPGs vs Panthers on NYD, so this isn’t a reliable factor to base any conclusive views upon.

Beyond this, it was a performance that became a precursor for the follow up game, lacking desire, pace and accuracy.

If there was a tracker for passes, the % for Devils alone would unsurprisingly be at 60% minimum to 80% maximum. Simply not good enough at this stage of the year where all the top teams are within striking distance of building momentum.

One attribute which relates to the initial point are giveaways, especially in the OZ.

One of the goals for Flames, Lacroix was in the corner near block 16, under very little pressure, gave away the puck to a defender and a counter attack started. It lead to a goal.

No back check. No hustle. No pride. No emotion from it. A player living on the top line, without producing.

It is worth noting, that it doesn’t matter nor concern any spectator of any game if a team celebrated anything the night before, if it hurts to do your job, work harder.

2. Physicality Missing, Frustrations Built Up

In the first clash, there was a noticeable lack of forecheck, including competitive plays along the boards. In fact, Flames’ Racine enjoyed his night, with some massive hits, good shut down play, baiting Lacroix into a ‘fight’ of which he easily outmuscled the hapless Devils forward.

Where there was some break downs, Flames looked the more ready, which seeped into the frustration of viewing the game itself from a Devils perspective.

Again, the shut down play became a massive anchor point to how the hosts dealt with their visitors, something which the travelling Devils and then in the return game found difficult to respond too.

Passing lanes were boxed out, the blue line became a key battle ground, which hemmed the Devils into the NZ and when they could break through the to the OZ, there wasn’t enough speed on the forecheck to complete the task/assignment.

In the return game, Helgesen returned to the line up and provided some much needed physicality, with some massive hits early on to set the tone, but again, this ran dry as the energy levels were clearly depleted, which fed into more frustrations both on and off the ice.

3. Top 9 Overhaul Needed

Although the home game on NYD saw a minor revamp of the forwards group, it still left some question marks on the capability of some forwards on specific lines with roles granted to them, as well as the overall balance that has seemed to have hit a plateau, as expected.

The same lines, especially the top 9 have more or less stayed the same since Lacroix was included on the top unit with Ferguson and Olischefski, however, the impact has become a slow burner in terms of decay.

The third line had some success a few weeks ago, but with Perlini now outscored by Riley Brandt, it has of course prompted a demotion to the 4th line, the latter going to the third.

The 2nd line has been far more productive, as well as the most convincing during December, with all players hitting high notes during that time, but the work cannot be left to them alone to produce.

The only other player close to the top 6 in terms of goals, was Brandt (4).

The points for the top line in December added to 13 points between them, including 6 goals.

The 2nd line, the ‘Goat Line’ combined for 29 points, MacDonald with 6 goals alone. Sanford and Martin also combined for 6 between them. Mammoth differences.

The third line combined for 7 goals and 21 points.

The writing is on the wall.

The changes on the return game seemed to reflect a knee jerk response. The calls were there, documented even, the PP isn’t working efficiently enough and the PK is ropey at best. Again, minor changes made for the special teams, with the preference from top unit to 2nd unit switching up the only real changes.

It was also stated that the rate of scoring with reliance outside the top 6 wasn’t sustainable and this month has proven it, leaving the coach scratching his head and the ones claiming there is no worry on the goal front, especially going into the new year, now without a basis to continue the narrative.

To resist some factors highlighted where the trends were meeting their cut off limits and where tweaks could be made, read here; https://hockeysteve.co.uk/2025/12/22/recap-the-good-the-bad-and-all-the-rest/

4. Special Teams Still Needing Improvement

You could be forgiven to think that following the Boxing Series vs Blaze that the PP had come to life and all is fine on that department.

Going into that set of fixtures, Devils started 9th overall, after it they improved.

To 8th.

Yet 120 minutes later, just 2 hours, they are back to 9th overall on the PP with 15.70%.

It just isn’t even worthy of being taken seriously at this stage.

Being, January 2026 just after New Years.

For context with Blaze, they have conceded 10 PPGs in their L5GP.

Simply put, the wrong players are tasked with both special teams, no arguments can be taken to refute this observation, but at least the PK isn’t, terrible.

Having the right players with the right skills would improve both, instead of either taking to slow to drive the PP and commit to positive zone entries (shooting within first 5s of gaining the blue line, on net, as the best way to ‘activate’ from a carry into the zone) and most importantly, awareness of where and who to man mark.

The issue for this, even at even strength is a carry and cycle with too much passing, far too slow puck movement and far to staggered in terms of attempts before releasing a shot, which eventually gets blocked or getting turned over.

Let alone unforced giveaways due to extremely poor passing.

Then, it is the rotation in the OZ, as once the set up is made, the positions are stuck.

5. Burman Stood Tall for Back to Back Dubs

The former Devil posted the 2nd shutout for his team last season, after many attempts by Bowns. He then took some beatings at the early stage of this campaign from his former club.

Leading into the back to back New Years fixtures, it seemed probable it was going to be a repeat of proceedings, especially as Devils were top of the league, leading with goals and built a brick wall in their net.

Burman decided otherwise.

Relatively quite both nights, especially the home fixture, it ended with a massive shutout for him, making the EIHL overall season the following;

7-1

7-1

1-0

1-0

An interesting trend between the teams.

It became an achingly missed opportunity for Devils, who were boosted by others around them also losing. Next up, the return game, at home, where those big victories occurred.

Flames and the net minder said, hold our beers.

The game was almost too easy, as they stifled their DZ blue line and forced the better looks from out wide, making the counter plays all too effective against a Devils team that stayed in 2025.

He made 42 saves on the night, beaten by some good luck when the Devils worked for it. After 58s, it appeared to be the routine start for a 7-1 finish.

There were 8 goals. So that is one aspect of a trend, bucked at the Vindico, between them this campaign.

His team were beasts in front of him, blocking 17 shots on the night. In comparison to just 1 the game before, across both benches. 18 in total, to Devils’ 9.

One team wanted to win those games, one team expected a result.

Next up, a jersey retirement for a club legend.