Game Recap vs Stars – Legend Honoured, Points Secured

League Record So Far; 18 – 5 – 4, 40pts, 2nd Place

L10GP; 7 – 1 – 2

CARDIFF, WALES – On a night which had more than just an expected bounce back in terms of performance, it started with appreciation, humility and grace, thanks to the gratitude shown by honoured club legend and local hero, Neil Francis, with his jersey retired to the rafters, then a battle to get back into the swing of things on the ice.

Here are some key observations from the game vs Stars and the ceremony for Neil Francis;

1. Legend Honoured, graciously and with humility

When it was announced last year that this fixture was scheduled for the jersey retirement of ‘The Franchise’ Neil Francis, the anticipation has been surrounding the under current of every game night since.

It was also a sense of, ‘finally’, as this time honoured sporting tradition has long been an expectation for an individual who continues to give everything to his club both on and off the ice.

His playing career spanned 17 years, starting in 1992 in the old British Hockey League (BHL), where he became a 2 time Champion, then the BISL Champion, then 2 time EIHL Cup Champion and EIHL KO Cup Champion.

With almost 600 games for Cardiff Devils alone across that career, it didn’t end there. Following his playing career, he then went behind the bench as an assistant coach, to be the constant presence for the club that most fans know of today.

His CV included being the coach, director of hockey operations, he became a valuable scouting asset, banged the drum to get the local government to rethink all leisure facilities during a disastrous spell of public policy 5 years ago, which has seen him become a key component to the the clubs’ success since he retired the skates.

Not to mention finding the current owners, including convincing the current GM to take on the project of rescuing then rebuilding the Cardiff Devils and then pushing to make Andrew Lord (now coaching in the AHL) the player-coach.

Without the ‘Fran-chise’, there would be no Cardiff Devils.

Thank you Franny.

2. Revamped Top 9 Skated to Win

The immediate change that was apparent, was seeing Lacroix scratched and Caponi placed back in the line up. Whether coincidence or by design, the last article called for an overhaul of the forwards group, especially the top 9.

It happened and eventually delivered.

The first frame was cagey, even seeing them go a goal down after a good spell of pressure the other end, but this was expected. It was a time where confidence was rocked, expectations were dialled up to 10 and it was a jersey retirement night of someone who likely helped to recruit those players.

The most noticeable performances were the top line, which had more speed, creativity and a greater hustle to skate north – south and pride themselves to be defensively responsible.

They got their reward on the 4th goal, a fantastic forecheck by Barrow with Ferguson in the right place as his line mates pulled apart the Stars defence, leaving Fiske high and dry.

The 2nd line continued to link up, with 5 points between them, including a goal for MacDonald and an easy tap in for Sanford as they also picked apart their opponents early in the 2nd frame.

Kontos continued his impressive contributions thanks to a positive zone entry, collecting a rebound on a high danger chance to draw level in the first.

All in all, each line hustled, back checked, found their man under pressure, less giveaways, great outlet and stretch passes and some big physicality, all of which was missing the previous 120 minutes vs Flames.

Calls, answered.

3. Revamped Power Pay Units Shown Promise

Even with some exchanges and a one-sided tilly, the game saw long periods of playable, competitive hockey that both teams would be happy with, no matter the result.

It shown on the natural penalty list, as there were 4 infractions the whole game, 2 each and Dundee found success, where Devils impressed.

Without Lacroix, this gave opportunities for others to make their case and it was a good showing, just without reward.

The first unit had Brandt (yes) with Martin – Estes – Kontos – Olischefski, the second unit saw Mosey – MacDonald – Perlini – Barrow – Sanford.

There was again more pace, less time taking to set up or slingshot from behind the net, the 1- 3- 1, a classic formation wasn’t static, which created more shooting lanes, cleaner passing lanes and pulled the PK’ers east to west.

If these units stay the same, with the same approach, it should start producing.

3. Missing Details Remain, but improvement noticeable

Situations such as giveaways, unforced turnovers, losing a man to mark, back checking, zone awareness and getting the legs wheeling each shift all improved, but there were examples of a lack of focus.

This would go back to the initial cagey first period, as Stars scored on their first realistic chance, thanks to some missed assignments.

Then their PPG, well worked, almost drew back a feeling of deja vu, from their encounter in Dundee during the triple header.

There were 3 looks before this goal, one that Stoever would want back, but his line mates hustled all game long to limit chances. Both goals came from direct down the middle of the slot and point, with just 14 SOG for the visitors.

The hosts put up 95 attempts, with 50 on net, a determined effort to turn the table and answer back for a couple of games that became, ultimately, missed opportunities.

Their shot accuracy went to 52.6%, with a 10.5% shot efficiency. Against a better team overall, there might not have been a similar return or outcome, but it was the push back and attitude to take the game on that became the difference.

Stars were good value for a team that had a long travel day from Scotland to Wales, less skaters and losing a key import just days before. Their game wasn’t inferior, they brought the contest to the hosts and played a full 60.

4. Physicality returned, fans engaged

Following the 1-0 loss in Guildford, a noticeable ingredient to the Devils playing style was missing. Physicality. When Helgesen dressed for the follow up game, he threw some monster hits, but as the game skated away from the hosts, that factor also diminished.

This time, with the addition of Caponi, that changed.

Brandt, Barrow, Olischefski, Mosey, Fournier, Oligny, Caponi, Helgesen, Duggan, Davies – all at least logged 3 proper hockey hits, with Caponi creating the biggest of the bunch.

One of which, all clean, drew in the ire of Matt Borden’s who grabbed him centre ice, with Caponi accepting the offer, then utterly destroyed the number 22.

This didn’t slow him down however, which saw even more physical play both ways without anyone having to ‘answer the bell’ for typical hockey play.

This encounter and entire phase of play tilted the game for the hosts. If this was a military exercise, you could call him a direct energy weapon. Devils have at least one of those per line.

However, as mentioned earlier, Stars were good value as an opponent, for their play, they do not deserve to be bottom of the table.

5. Devils first to 100 goals in regular season

They are now up to 102 goals after 27GP (3.7GFA) 5 ahead of leaders Panthers who top the table by a single point with a slightly increased win% thanks to losing less in regulation.

With Giants behind by 4 games, they have conceded 7 goals less in comparison to Devils, who have firmly set the standard for mid season and the daunting run in for the title chase.

In the coming weeks, Giants will be catching up on their GP differential and Panthers will be hosting the 2026 IIHF Continental Cup Final.

Devils have a week off, for the first time in a long while, a much needed respite from a gruelling festive schedule.

They play Storm, Clan, Flames and Flyers in the next 5 games – all teams who have beaten them. Which makes each fixture a must win to maintain their own position and bar that has been set.

MacDonald now has 9 goals in his L10GP and was the December MVP on X via hockeysteve8719, 9 points in his L5GP, up to 16 points in his L10GP. He has woken up, just as some skaters have dropped off. He needs just 3 more goals to reach 50 in the EIHL.

Ahead of him in points, Sanford, logged another goal, who hit a 2 game pointless skid following a 7 game streak.

He is still at 12 points in his L10GP, but hopefully that game has given him some extra fuel to go on a monster run.

One player who is at a point per game in the L10, is the Goat, Joey Martin. With two helpers he kept up an impressive return, to add to this monster line that has become the engine for their team in terms of production.

One that always finds a way to chip in, despite an unorthodox method of reading the play, is Kontos, who is at 11 points in his L10GP.

He had a first frame that went from here and there with reading the play and being available, to getting the business done and his goal was what looked to be the spark to get his team going.

Quiet, unassuming, diligent and ever present, a difficult player to read, but you cannot dispute his numbers and is now 7 points away from a century in the EIHL.

One to watch is Ryan Barrow (again) as he is now 2 points from last seasons’ regular season total, still projected for his best EIHL season since joining the Storm, then his first full season with the Devils.

With one goal from 50 all time EIHL and 6 games from 200 all time EIHL, Barrow returning to the top line has been a much needed refresh for the group and could be the catalyst for him to surpass those milestones.