Pre-season Review; Weekend One

CARDIFF, WALES – With the anticipation to get to the rink and see some hockey, this weekend put on a show, where eventually, some of that broke out.

The first game between Denmarks’ Odense Bulldogs and the Devils threw up 13 goals and over 200 PIMS, with multiple ejections, an incoming ban from the IIHF and an unfortunate injury to boot.

The following night saw an atypical, structured but subdued affair, played at a leisurely pace, but also saw another forward carried off with a lower body injury.

Results wise, 2 from 2. Entertainment wise, 2 from 2. Injury wise, also 2 from 2. That is the only realistic downside with a hope that the injuries are not serious nor significant.

They will join Helgesen, with Stoever missing due to illness, so he can be expected back soon.

New Faces

There was a lot of hype surrounding Cardiff’s nomination for a Fin this season, in Panu Mieho. Talk of top line certainty or a player that would ultimately become over-hyped by the end of the season will continue at pace.

He definitely looks bigger than his billing once dressed and on the ice and has a natural tendency to get to net, screen the goalie and keep one of the blue liners preoccupied.

Unfortunately, he was maybe a victim of those early training camp, pre-season energy sappers, as passes never quite made it to him. The inclination was there.

He did manage an ENG in the embers of the game to cap off a home DH dub, however more would be needed to match the billing he has been set up with.

For Thomas Caron, he brought an intensity that was expected, looking great for the top 6. He added a marker in the first game and carried the puck with an explosive viciousness that is an immediate upgrade on Perlini, as a like for like.

The coach preferred a line up with the new import forwards and Barrow, with the line combining for a goal on night one.

Mieho picked up a goal and 2 helpers, with Caron scoring EVS. Barrow also went for a goal EVS with 2 helpers, however on night two, the subdued affair matched all lines.

New top defence man, Nick Welsh, brought a similar endeavour-like style as seen with Mosey, especially breaking into the OZ and carrying deep. He bagged a brace of helpers on night one and was active in all 3 zones on night two.

Whilst the SHG on the PP would be one to forget, at this stage it is more than forgivable – Fournier should gel naturally with him, as he has the same tendencies as Mosey, except with far less risk to turnovers or giveaways.

There was a trio of Brits joining the club this week, along with new Brit forward and a generational addition, Jake Sacratini.

The former junior Devils prospect was noticeable each time he took a shift and played 200ft without a break of sweat. Excellent hands, great edges, pivots and cross overs, he can battle and turnover from any position on the ice and creates danger against the opposition.

His only negative was DZ positioning but puck awareness tipped the risk factor to recoverable, as though he may puck watch, he plays like a poacher and quietly digs in to catch and release.

The other Brit they had for a week was Ethan Lock, who brought an extra quality in the depth, as Devils iced 5 Wales-born players. Lock also had great vision, excellent explosiveness laterally and put up some very industrious looks on net.

Nothing but positives to draw from, save, for Duggan’s knee injury.

Early Looks

It would typically take some time for new faces to blend in and get their legs under them with a new system, surroundings and lifestyle to adapt to.

This was evident, with reasonable point production for the imports, against a short benched and slightly under-powered opponent on home ice.

For the established players, this became evident.

Yes, the coach wasn’t at all pleased with the overall structure on night one and deliberately set up a mellow affair on the second night.

They still produced and punched back, literally.

Going down a goal, then immediately answering is an excellent habit to have. This early in pre-season, is a boon for any team.

Then, look at who done what.

Kontos, with 6 apples stole the show across the weekend, albeit majority were secondary. The underlying theme was his puppeteer-like effect on the game. He pulled the strings.

He stalks with the puck and knows where he needs to set up a feed, bringing opponents with him to create the space. At times however, the Odense defence were pulled east to west so much, it was simple tic tac toe and tap away.

There were 13 skaters who put up points for 12 goals scored, of which there were 8 individual scorers. Whilst no hatty, the Goat, Joey Martin leads with 3 efforts on net, with the average player point share across the board at 2.5 – which is excellent pacing.

Of course, this was week one and there are more games to come before the EIHL season actually starts.

The top 9 almost contributed to full capacity, with the exception of Olischefski and Harewood (for night two). Also, all but Oligny put up at least a point from D, with Richardson the only Brit to put up points.

The hallmarks are there at the freshest stage, but the lines largely remained the same. Typical, considering the lack of new faces, which meant it is easier to pair together.

Tinkering within the depth would be a key move to stress test the roster, but from a club perspective, everything is firing just as it should.

The third line thanks to Kontos was the most productive (14) counting for 43.75% of the total production. The top 6 combined for 18 split evenly (56.25% overall), including defensive lines as part of the forwards.

If there was to be a reshuffle to spread the point share more evenly, then promoting the third liners would be the first step.

Although the initial top line linked up and got 9 points between them, adding playmaker supreme in Kontos to highly skilled wingers like MacDonald and Barrow would naturally create an outlet for goal scoring.

Martin to 3rd with speed and physicality would be a mouthwatering line, that has upside and chances for Harewood.

As Duggan might be out, though unconfirmed, adding Bryceland is now more than likely, especially as Lock is heading stateside.

The blue liners would realistically be unchanged and as there is no word yet on Brandt, I ruled him out for now. If Helgesen was back then Mosey could have been moved to the 3rd line with Harewood dropping to 4th.

MacDonald – Kontos – Barrow

Caron – Mieho – Olischefski

Yaremko – Martin – Harewood

Sacratini – Davies – Bryceland

Oligny – Estes

Welsh – Fournier

Richardson – Mosey