Weekend Review; Devils Battle to Earn 4 Point Weekend

League Record So Far; 21 – 6 – 4, 46 pts, Joint 1st Place

Last 10GP; 7 – 3 – 0

CARDIFF, WALES – Devils went through controversy, self inflicted errors, stubborn opponents and done all they could to make it a vital 4 point weekend to keep pace with rivals, Belfast Giants.

Here are the key takeaways from an immensely tense weekend of hockey;

1. Character wins remind doubters there is more to this team

Leading into this weekend of games, Devils found themselves in the mix for the top of the table, just without the belief to back to it up.

The previous games were lacklustre, off-beat and it felt like something was missing.

Behind the tale of the tape across those games, there were shutouts by a single goal each way, individual point streaks, milestone moments (to a degree), yet, it wasn’t a complete deal.

Once again, the echoes of the summer debate surrounding goals reared its head, despite going into 2026 as the first team to hit 100 goals and lead the league with that.

There was rightful concern, as in the L5GP before the owners came to town, they had a goal average of just 2. Much lower than the standard that had been set leading up to the new year.

Across both games, they battled back and forth with their opponents to wrestle the game into their hands, despite controlling possession for large portions of the meetings for 125 minutes of play.

There were bizarre calls made that ultimately determined the method of outcome for the home game, which lead to a shootout.

The following night, they were the benefactors of an early whistle to deny Flames a late, 4th, equaliser.

A total of 6 times the game was brought back to being level, with a highly debatable goal for Storm the night before.

One thing that can be said for this team at the current stage of the season, they have earned and deserved to be where they are, without question.

2. Goal scoring requires elite finishing

They ended the week as 2nd most for goals with 112 scored. It is nothing to be concerned about, although quality of finishing has been raised.

A total of 333 shots in those previous 5 games, with 203 on net, so just over 60% on target. That isn’t too bad, right?

With 10 goals scored in that time, the numbers look very interesting, particularly for scoring efficiency.

3%.

If anyone believes their team, no matter which, can win a title, having that as a shot efficiency % is extremely low. The average is upwards of 12%.

It also meant across those games, a goal was scored every 30 minutes. That is 0.033 goals per minute per game (across those 5 games).

This weekend saw a combined 156 shots made, with 85 on net and 8 goals scored, including the shootout game winner.

No lack of effort, just execution, which backs up the concerns. 54.5% on target across that smaller sample, but they found ways. they dug in. They had a hero ready to make his announcement.

The most highly considered ‘natural goal scorer’, Cole Sanford so far after 30 games, has a shooting efficiency of 6.38%.

To compare with Riley Brandt, 12% on 48% of the shot attempts and 08:13 less TOI.

MacDonald, the goals leader has 8.12%. The league leader, Mitchell Balmas (21), has an efficiency of 12.6%.

The stats speak for themselves, which prompted a promotion for one player and demotion for another.

3. Sanford scratched as Brandt continues to impress

This isn’t a Sanford-hating space, I in fact, would not have any slander toward him, yet, the figures are there to take note.

To his credit, he battles each game, week on week is more effective defensively, has some of the best hands and puck control, a really gifted skater and has been an engine for his team.

He is joint top points scorer for the Devils after 30GP with 28, projected to 49 points for the season. Still more than last season, which is a fair reflection. If he goes off the gas completely, risks his lowest overall.

Then again, he is due to go on a heater.

From his first points on the regular campaign, he went on mini-runs with scoring. Only broken by patterns of back to back games with nothing on the scoresheet.

It was very harsh to see him scratched.

The other hand, a coach would ask themself, where can I put Brandt?

Pound for pound the most improved player, consistent with the TOI given and has been a key component in many games, for the good.

Written off year after year as the ‘leagues’ worst import’, he has transitioned from role based ‘glue guy’ to a sniper.

After this weekend he has 11 regular season EIHL goals, since he joined he had 16 total in regular season. He is now projected for 21 to end the season, for 27 points. Which would be above last seasons pace for both Tyler Busch and Ryan Barrow.

In the last 3 games, he has put up 4 goals, with 3 of those the game winners, not to mention a beauty of a snipe in the shootout.

4. Stoever steps up, making incredible impression

The decision to add a back up as a pro-rookie was experimental at best. It was an unknown, considering a lot of good options, yet, there has been a familiarity with his style and application of game management.

Reflexes, aggression, desperation moves, agility, demeanour. If you put a Bowns jersey on him, you might not see much of a difference.

Stoever has been part of a tandem dominated by a season to remember for the veteran goalie, Ben Bowns, who leads the league for goal tending.

He has now gone to 89.18 SV% after 2.58 GAA after 9 regular season games. Amongst his contemporaries, only former Devil, Taz Burman has a league shutout (vs Devils), with the 2nd best GAA, which belongs to Alexi Gravel (Giants) with 2.48. Very close indeed.

As for the SV%, he is one percent from matching the top of those goalies, such as Purboo, Weninger, Fiske, Brine, to mention a few.

In his last few games, where Bowns has sat to recover from an injury (undisclosed), he has provided relief at the back, assurance for his team in front of him and back stopped to a shootout win.

Plus, a shutout (2nd overall)

Overall after 16GP, his SV% comes in at 91.12. It is extremely good for a first season pro. Compare to Carruth for his season (26GP), he ended up with a 90.4 SV% and a 2.84 GAA.

5. Three straight wins sets up important weekend

Devils has wobbled over new years, with some frustratingly sub-par outcomes as teams around them also dropped points.

It also allowed Giants to shoot to the top, for the 2nd season running when a league leader is competition in a European championship final on home ice.

As one team was out of action for the league, another dropped off incredulously, Devils had a scenario that was effectively make it or break it.

Scupper this weekend, it is a tall order to continue their pace and would influence a deja vu moment for the 2nd season running.

Win, as they did, to extend to 3 straight games, they are only kept from the summit due to games in hand against them.

They are 6 weekends from a DH in Belfast, so all roads would in reality lead to that moment. With a fixture between them in that run up on a Friday night in Wales.

Before that significant calendar date, they have to face off against a resurgent Flyers team, then hit the road to Sheffield, where they typically do not fare well, however they are embattled with their own implosion of late.

The better news is, they have claimed points on the road to Sheffield this season, a 4 zip shutout, which, following a bizarre home game that ended up as an OTL vs Steelers the last time they met, they would want to earn that back.

Steelers have the leagues most proficient scorer, Balmas, with 21 goals so far this season. However, following departures and back office issues, their current form has been left them in hot water with their own fans.

They have 3 wins in their L10GP, with back to back defeats vs Storm over new years, then Giants following an all too familiar collapse in Scotland.

They have conceded 24 times in their L5GP, scoring 15, including heavy defeats in Belfast.

They face off on the road vs Storm, who sit just 4 points behind them, who might just fancy themselves at home, before another clash vs Devils.

As for Fife, they head to Wales off the bottom of the table for the 2nd time this season, but have yet to find consistent form.

On the road, they have just 5 points from a possible 30, with just one regulation win. They face a big challenge as Devils will surely sharpen their tools and look to ramp up their intensity, starting with a dominant performance on home ice.

3 Stars for the Weekend