Preview vs Steelers & Weekend Review

League Record So Far; 32 – 14 – 5, 69pts, 2nd Place

L10GP; 6 – 4 – 0

CARDIFF, WALES – With just 3 games of regular season to play, there is plenty to focus on as the league moves toward the final flourish of its pinnacle, the playoff final weekend.

As tedious as it could be, the remaining few games are pivotal for how the team finishes and rightly, to be judged upon completion.

The upcoming fixtures are far from easy, but with back to back home games against their current coaches’ former clubs and old rivals, before a crucial clash on the road, each game provides its own merit, reward and difficulty.

Weekend Review

The fixtures started with a fiesty battle at home vs Storm, which, despite some tightly checked play, didn’t serve as one for the history books.

The entire flow of the game was to have enough to out skate, out muscle and out smart their opponents. In many cases, job done.

The game itself started fast but for the wrong reasons. After initial looks on net, the inability to control the puck in the DZ, find routine, simple passes any professional should be able too and man marking, lead Dudek to tuck one home, as Stoever went for an early fishing trip behind his own net.

Thankfully, the collective blushes weren’t needed as within seconds of the restart, the game was even again thanks to Perlini, who now has goals in 4 consecutive games.

Prior to that, he went 29 games without a goal, As far back as December 7th. So, as nice as that is, far too late to be significant contributor to any form of success.

Joey Martin then got his 19th of the regular season, one away from 20, with 3 games to spare is good going for a player who touted the ‘R’ word a couple seasons’ ago.

Not his worst as a Devil, who put up 17 goals in 52GP back in the 16/17 season.

The marker was a PPG, which, has improved a lot over the last month, ironically about when the call to put Fournier on the PP1 unit came from this here source.

There was another EVS goal, this time from Ferguson in the last 10 minutes before Duggan of all people, found an ENG to seal the deal. You would have to go back to January to find his only other goal of the regular season.

Another Brit who is likely looking at pastures new after this season.

Whilst the game teetered toward an evenly matched affair, Devils still ran into discipline trouble, thankfully, a PK that stood the test. The entire contribution reeked of something off – the players who should be putting up the numbers went off the boil, luckily, there was just enough within the ranks to make a dent on the scoreboard.

Kontos, who is almost at a PPG pace, extended his natural point streak to 8 games. At least, despite some feeling the signing was ‘underwhelming’ he still finds ways to contribute.

On the road however, this was another story for the team as a whole.

Whilst Stoever stood tall and earned a man of the match with an assist on his name the night before, the praise surrounding him fell silent as the reality came crashing down.

With 4 goals against in under 20 mins and an early exit to the bench, it just wasn’t his night. But he wasn’t solely to blame for such a poor effort in that result defining game.

2 of them typically came on the PP, making quick work at that. Those two made it 6 PPG’s out of 9 against the Devils. Some lessons surely could be taken there, seeing as they are the final home opponents of regular season.

Of the 5 meetings in the league, Devils skated away with 3 shutouts and won 4. The series sweep ended that Sunday, with a woeful performance, even by the standards set over the last few seasons.

No look passing, puck watching, lack of skating to the dirty areas. Passive checking. The only delight at first was the scrap between Ferguson and Saucerman early on. Even that didn’t garner the response needed.

Nevertheless, Devils also answered back with 2 PPGs and a very late marker after an empty netter trickled in. The detail were missing and the bench was found wanting.

If that was a signal of intent, it will be. long 120 minutes post-season before a historic catastrophe.

Midweek vs Steelers

The season series has already been taken by the next visitors, who look set to turn the tables for their own purposes. Both clubs have had subpar seasons, with slightly elevated expectations for the men in offensive orange.

In terms of the PP, Devils have now gone above 19% for the first time this season, with Steelers locked in 2nd overall. They also lead on the PK, which has been a strong point for Devils also, who occupy 3rd.

One thing they dont need to do is give the visitors easy chances on the man advantage.

Between the teams, there are only 3 players inside the top 20 for PPG’s. Harper with 8, Martin with 7 and MacDonald with 5.

Slim pickings, but like Blaze, Steelers can be lethal, especially against Devils, with 5 against being on the PP.

With 6 wins in their last 10GP, this would be a particular itch that would need to scratched vs Steelers, who have the same points in 3rd and win%, yet Devils hold 2 more regulation wins.

That is slim pickings with 2 games left to consolidate final standings. The question would be, who would want it more?

Steelers’ own coach, Aaron Fox has mentioned several times this season that his men ‘find ways to lose’, where as for the Devils coach, Thompson has lamented attitude problems and ‘finding ways to switch off’.

This should be a final weekend fixture, yet it is midweek – not ideal to build up, however, this is the time for players to show their worth.

By now, next season’s contracts and extensions should have been in motion already, yet, it seems there are question marks across the roster, meaning that if some fail to show or put their hand up, that would be a sure fire way to view them as done.

Something, both clubs are dealing with.

There are 2 goals scored between them, Devils hold a better goal differential of +64, +10 over Steelers, who are without their number one, Greenfield.

However, league leading scorer, Mitchell Balmas (33G, 63pts), is an anomaly. 10 Points ahead of next nearest players, Doherty and Mismash, more than double the goals for the nearest Devils, Kontos (48pts) and 8 ahead of the next nearest goal scorer, MacDonald (25G, 44pts).

So, what are they keys to this game?

1. Stay out of the box

Of course, this is easier said than done and from recent weeks, the calls are ever more onimous and the suspensions from DOPs even more so.

That being said, whistles favour Steelers (no pun intended), as they have the 3rd best PIM/game overall, with Devils once again, down in 9th.

With the likes of Balmas, Harper and Ritchie on their team, going a man down for what ever reason is presenting a proverbial gift horse to a team that has finally found a way to comfortably win in Cardiff.

2. Be up for it

Although Devils are not alone in capitalising on missed points from those around them, which inevitably lead to Giants claiming yet another EIHL triumph. They have had one lingering, inexcusable tendency.

Not being dialled in for big or important games.

Whether that is against Blaze or Steelers. It matters.

The proof is within the minutes of post-game interviews and a referenced guide to how they have performed right here.

If there is no desire to want that win, the day is all but lost.

It isn’t just about having a 5 minute sit down for a glorified cuddle. It is about being direct, winning puck battles, maintain solid puck possession, making passes count, shutting down any form of attack and hitting the OZ with pace and venom.

MacAdam coughs up rebounds for fun across a 60 minute slate – his net should be littered with pucks.

Win this game, it makes it more difficult for Panthers as well. For once, claim destiny, instead of wasting it.

3. Play it simple

The occasion is big enough, even despite scheduling. This is a must win not just for the standings and season, but also for a lot of pride. They have found ways against Giants and Panthers, the caveat seems to be not against this team.

They are easily beaten and have a lot of issues of their own. This is Steelers at home. This should be a belter.

What undoes this current team is details.

No look passes and drop passes. DZ giveaways. Gliding, not skating. Not knowing where or who to man mark. The stuff you would expect from a beer league team.

Tighten up those areas, it takes the play away from the visitors and builds stronger chances for xG and more.

Likely Bowns gets the nod for stepping in on Sunday and securing the net, after a wonderful stint by the rookie. This is a chance for Bowns to get some redemption for flat performances this season, especially against these opponents.

Rediscover that game flow and management, build on each phase and face off and take it to them. They already have the series, so secure that 2nd spot.