Devils Face Stars in Home Double Header

League Record So Far; 29 – 13 – 5, 63pts, 4th Place

L10GP; 4 – 5 – 1

CARDIFF, WALES – Cardiff Devils entertain Dundee Stars for a much needed home double header, after falling off in recent weeks.

Stars come to town losing 8 of their own L10GP, with one of the worst road records in the league, collecting just 10 points overall from 22 games.

This would be a benchmark weekend to not just reset and look to build for playoffs, but to also build up much confidence to back up a great win vs Panthers, who lifted the challenge cup in midweek.

The league looks set to stay in Belfast for another season, so with all other trophies claimed, the next one to focus on is playoffs.

Here are some keys to the weekend vs Stars;

1. Be direct and push the pace

This has been an issue with the group for more than just Coach Thompsons’ time so far, much to his building grievances of results and attitude with game management.

A single caveat that has seeped into the psyche of the long term core of this team that continues to frustrate. Beyond the dump and chase.

The entry is fine, it is what happens that follows which has become an achilles heel of late.

Hesitant passing, over passing and not getting pucks on net quickly allows opposing defences to set in and clog up the mid slot and for the goalie to get comfortable.

Then, it is speed of the play.

Of course, the likes of Barrow and MacDonald, even the 4th line can hit the blue line with pace, moving the puck and getting into position seems to be out of the question.

It is mentality, not tactics.

Forget looking for a cute, no-look back hand pass or a neat drop pass – gain the zone, put the goalie under pressure, force the D to scramble, pull their forwards away from the passing lanes, think 3 pass shoot, 2 pass shoot, shoot, shoot.

The more time spent with the puck, the less chance of a grade A or getting any shots away.

2. Keep the play physical, make them dread moving up the ice

An inarguable fact about Cardiff Devils hockey is that one and off the puck, the play will be physical, in your face and you need to have your head on a swivel at all times.

By no means is it dirty, it is genuinely the spirit of the game to have a ferocious forecheck, hard hitting checks, tough net battles and intimidation throughout.

This has been a factor across the season, but not continuously.

Now is a perfect time to unleash that anger, frustration, disappointment and fury and who better than the weekend’s visitors.

From Caponi to Brandt, Barrow to Ferguson, Oligny to Helgesen, there are options in every line where this should be executed.

Hit them hard physically, then hit their zone even harder.

3. Build that stat sheet

This should be a no brainer in the locker room. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to pad those stats.

Stars are 9th overall and one goal less conceded that 10th with 219 goals against. It is abysmal.

Devils just about have two players inside the top 10 for points at this late stage of the season. Something which has been building across the last few seasons.

Usually, there was at least one skater inside to the top 5.

Taking out Mitchell Balmas (61), the average across the top 10 is 44 points. So, with MacDonald (42) and Martin (43), they represent a similar consistency across their competitors.

So, for 120 minutes at least of hockey this weekend, why not try to hit 50 each?

The teams’ GFA is higher compared to last year, at 3.51 – which ended at 3.30. Having a season without crucial, long term injuries has indeed helped.

Their win% was 63%, whereas currently it is at 67%, with 13 less goals scored overall. They ended their last realistic chance of winning silverware in 2020 with 162 goals scored and were top of the table, with 70%.

Going above the needed target is still below the trend, although outperforming last season shouldn’t have been an issue with a fully fit team.

Those who believed this group would ‘easily’ hit 200 or more goals in regular season action got carried away, heavily with what was put together.

The gap between Devils and Giants in goals scored is 12 – so if they manage to get constrained and even stumble, falter – this is the one solid chance to build it up.