Weekend Review; Home Wins, Road Losses, Plenty to Work On

Challenge Cup So Far; Group A; 2-0-2, 4pts, 2nd Place

CARDIFF, WALES – It was another weekend of a gritty win at home, followed by a collapse on the road, this time, sparking a needed debate on roster usage, strengths and if the club need to assertively place the money where it was taken and get themselves some ‘proven firepower’.

All of this after only 4 games, in the Challenge Cup. The EIHL season is well and truly back.

Here is a breakdown of the weekend and what should need to be looked at;

1. Fast Start Provided High Hopes at Home

It may have been fast, even Cole Sanford fast, with Brandon Cutler finding twine off the draw within seven seconds. That was the sole contribution from the visitors for large stretches of the game, bar the exception of Jenion booking a long term stay in the penalty box.

Perhaps a review per Tripadvisor.

The response was what most expect from the Devils, immediate and one more. The double tap from MacDonald and Fournier tilted momentum firmly in their hands, then Brandt late in the frame finished off a trademark snipe.

That was damage done, despite overall being outshot on net 27:31 on the night.

2. Caron Flailing, Despite Top Line Status

He played on the third line toward the end of pre-season as well as the opening weekend and good value for it, there was no reason to promote further up the ranks based on any of his performances.

Seeing him swapped for Yaremko, came across as a way to put the fire in skates, to see if he will get off the ground and flying.

After 4 competitive games, he has failed to put up any form of points, has gone minus two, spent far too much time in the box, which proved to be costly.

He has also put up only 4 SOG from 5 across 17:17 for TOI.

No jump in his game and lack of zone awareness, which seems to be baked in systematically across the forwards lines, easy to turnover and gives up a lot of board battles.

One of the heaviest players on the roster, often searching for purpose each shift, then looks to be soul searching after each rep.

The ethos surrounding players arriving to the club having played over at Finlands’ Liiga, is that they would be giants amongst mere mortals.

Considering those type of players that have come to this league rarely meet those expectations, the hard sell and even worse buy-in has already formed ranks of fans with the same, lingering questions again.

3. Fournier On a Heater

4 points from 4GP and effective at either end of the ice, Fournier has brought that famous prowess with him to start this season.

There is a huge risk with this defensive set up, however, one player who has benefitted so far, is Fournier.

He has the same production as Estes, 16 SOG from 27 attempts, with similar TOI.

A true benefit for what has been back to back weekends of chalk and cheese, in terms of team performances.

4. Questions on Defence

It is not just an incompetent Government in terms of defence, another version has felt the pressure, strains and already started to show cracks and flaws in the set up.

Already discussed and highlighted, the firepower potential was increased with the addition of Nick Welsh, however, the short side of the group is the shut down ability.

Rolling 4 OFD and 2 DFD creates an imbalance that quick, aggressive and proficient opponents can exploit. Factor in the DFD elements form the oldest section of that blue line, the goalies would have a busy night.

Last weekend saw 80 SOG against the goalies, this weekend saw those weaknesses taken apart.

With 64 SOG, against, it is an improvement, however, Storm spent more time looking to irritate than play directly, but they did outshoot the Devils on net (as above).

Stoever was stoic in goal, whereas the early rebound control on the road from Bowns, presented that gift horse straight to the frothing mouths of goal hungry and win hungry Flames forwards.

It wasn’t solely down to the goal tending, the questions to ask were, why were their opponents available to pick up those rebounds, especially in the slot and why wasn’t the attacking plays shut down and dealt with?

Defence extends beyond the blue liners, it is a team responsibility.

When forwards fail to track their man defensively, instead electing to track the puck and watch as they get threaded like a needle, fail to shut down the play along the wings, fail in their board battles and get turned over far too easily, it is a lot for one person to deal with.

It is a shame, as Bowns made some remarkable saves, but the result would ultimately be remembered.

Three of the 5 goals were from the slot, often because a man was lost, let alone, uncontested. Usually that is bread and butter work for the likes of Oligny.

Even Richardson couldn’t put his stamp on the game as he would, he did combine with Mosey (2) and Oligny (1) for four blocked shots. The forwards who put their body on the line were Yaremko (3), Harewood and Kontos (1 each).

Ironically, the very unit that combined for their goal.

The other questions then, where were the rest?

5. Mieho Still Missing, was he mis-sold?

He has amassed 3 points in 4GP, so there might be hope yet for those who rushed to get his name on their backs, however, three secondary assists is open for debate.

He has managed just two shots on goal, both vs Flames in his 4th competitive outing and only 8 shots overall. Bayley Harewood has the same points, with a goal to his name so far.

He also has 7 SOG from 11 attempts, with a difference of nearly 11.5 minutes between them. Miehos’ role isn’t about disruption and distribution, he was brought in to fill the gaps left by proven point scorers and fill the net.

An average of appearing more than twice over a 4th liner per game, with seven pre-season games and 4 competitive on the top line, absolutely demands more from his game and the hype he was presented with.

Both players would have minimal line chemistry with this team, even Harewood to a massive stretch, as this is his first time as a full time EIHL’er.

One has a wide range of high end league experience, the other is a prospect and product of the NIHL/GB national team set up – many would argue, those are not equal places for a fair comparison.

If anyone else were writing those cheques for the payroll, there would be considerations on value for investment, even at this stage.

6. Home Form Protected, Road Form Wounded

It is great to see the home form continue, including pre-season has run since March. The game vs Storm was match up of hard nosed players and lots of enterprise from the Brits, Connor Lee especially, who drew some ire from the good guys, but played impressively nonetheless.

On the road however, Devils are now 0 from 2 in back to back games, against opposition that was short benched.

It only adds insult to injury, despite currently sat in 2nd place. By end of play Sunday, that may well change – it has also left them behind Flyers at this stage, in goals and points, as well as Win%.

To make things more difficult, they face-ff at home vs Panthers in the cup, then Steelers on the road. No pressure at all.

7. MacDonald Starting Strong

Along with Fournier, Josh MacDonald sits very comfortably as a primary producer, with 3 goals to the good, for a shot efficiency of 30%.

Although he leads his team so far after two weekends of hockey, he sits currently at 7th overall. At that rate, he is still projected to finish the cup campaign with less goals than the likes of Balmas (17), Maksimovich (13), Archambault (17), Eliseev (21) and Piccinich (17).

Of course, it is very early days, there are 6 games left to play for Group A, before thinking of the knockout rounds.

What it does highlight, is a lack of difference makers long term.

It does however, paint a good light, as he had already bettered his efforts from the last two seasons (2G each).

8. Contrasting Fortunes for Goalie Tandem

Bowns may have played more than Stoever, but even from early results, they have a contrasting theme, which might hold weight ahead of the next slate of fixtures.

He was remarkable when called upon, but shipping 9 goals, five of which vs Flames in GW2, has compounded him to the bottom 5 for GAA overall (3.42), where as Stoever, 7 seconds is all you need sometimes, sits top 5 overall with 2.00.

They live in the top 10 for SV%, with Stoever 5th at 93.55 and Bowns 8th with 92.31. Bowns has faced the second most shots against in 3GP with 117, above average after 3GP amongst his peers, not in the best way (108).

He [Bowns] has faced more rubber than most, which further highlights the leakiness of the defence, touted before the season started, as the leagues best and most potent.

For a quick reference, Mike Lee (Giants) has 7 points in 3GP, leading the cup group stages currently. To add weight to this, Fournier is third amongst all defensemen, having playing more hockey so far (including pre-season). Fournier is the only point per game player (PPG) for the Devils.

9. Special Teams Struggles, Continue

After just 4GP, with some yet to catch up, Devils do not have the worst stats amongst the league, however, for comparable output, they massively under perform.

Not for want of opportunity, they are only likely to convert a goal at 0.25% after 10 PP’s and one marker.

Giants in less GP, have the same amount of opportunities and lead with 40%, whilst Steelers also have the same, resting at 30%.

Of course, this goes without mentioning Flyers, at the same rate as Steelers after 3GP.

This was an area of great concern for the club post-Covid – only since the Belfast DH, when changes were implemented, was there an uptick in production, performance and outcome.

As for face-offs, all the hard work Kohen Olischefski has been doing has been paying off, with the team second overall so far at 56.73%, behind last seasons’ champions, Giants, they only team above 60%. Leaders.

The league average is shy of 50%, so a very good position to be in.

The team dominated vs Storm on the dots at 37:18, however, marginally won vs Flames 29:26. The times they lost, particularly from the top line, Mieho went 6 from 14 overall, for 42.8%.

It capped off a bad night for the road team, however, Mieho does lead with 38 FOW overall, but ranks 4th overall for efficiency, with 55%.

He does have the lions share of the workload, but as pointed out in last week’s review, Olischefski was called upon at times to win important draws, then heading back for a quick change with Mieho.

Not a role that holds confidence, following the last game, however, still strong with the higher workload.

Olischefski’s output plus production, 15.38% on shot efficiency, firmly places him as a permanent top liner in comparison to Mieho, whom is better suited to the 3rd line as a ceiling.

10. Expectations for the Next Game Week

Already, there has been a prevailing pattern of players entrusted with positions unsuited to their skillsets. Whether this is to create chemistry, build confidence or blind expectations, of course, this is solely down to the coach.

Bare in mind however, the same coach took until March to make one change to the power play (scouted here first) which in turn, launched the team into a final run-in for the ages, claiming 2nd place, improving that special team unit and securing silverware.

So, if a team was expected to start where they left off, that is understandable, but – this top line never contributed to that, not even Barrow to the harshest extent, considering his injury. He did however, have a fantastic season, so this is his reward.

Also, to balance production, there needs to be a base load for that offset. Barrow aside, though not the best output compared to any top liner, this top line of Caron – Mieho – Barrow, simply doesn’t fit that bill.

No matter how hard it is tried and tested. Insert insanity definition here.

The impact for a solid Devil, Ryan Barrow has been negative for him. He leads forwards in shots (18) with SOG (15). Shamefully, he has just one assist to his name after 4GP.

Not the reward he deserves.

Power Play

The power play has reverted to type, so, should the loyal fanbase be expected to wait until March again?

The team make up hasn’t had any significant change, not from pre-season, most of any EIHL team and four more cup games. Lack of experimentation has produced a 50% win rate, with losses against shortened benches on the road.

The sheer lack of production proves that the men brought in to replace the outgoing stars could only be assessed as passive at best. The most logic outcome is firmly locking them to a third line role, without impacting the production of others, such as Olischefski, Kontos and MacDonald.

Defense

Defensively, there needs to be drastic change to set up tactics, particularly in the DZ.

Simple expectations, such as man marking, outlet passing, zone clearing, zone control and puck retention, in any fair assessment at this stage, with a 7 game warm up workload, should have been ironed out completely before puck drop on the curtain opener.

The effort so far has been woeful at its kindest, with far too many turnovers, giveaways, puck watching, lack of boxing out from the mid to high danger zones, slot coverage and board battles. Timid.

Oligny has not had a great start to this season, which might provide opportunity for others. It is an offensively minded and loaded group, but the shut down players combine for 72 years old. Masses of experience. A lot on the body.

With Helgesen out, Mosey on the third line doesn’t have a pay off it needs either, with that line combining to 76 years old. Even with his pace, the gaps produced have been scouted.

With Welsh having a high activation mentality, pairing with Fournier, has worked very well, considering. The aforementioned players, combine for -8 after 4 games. The former at +9. The risk, is the PIMs count.

Output and Outcomes

The lack of power play output, even with the addition of Welsh has been underwhelming. With more hockey played than most, that really should have been figured out.

The rate to not make the next round of the cup, is no more than 4 losses. This, amongst league red lines, was assessed before the season started.

They are now 50% there with 6 games left. Failure against their rivals, Panthers and Steelers, would not be taken lightly.

If there is a lack of desire to change what needs to be change and preference for players over their performance, this would be a tough and trying season, which could come undone very quickly.

It might be early in the campaign, but the warning signs are loud and unavoidable.

The best way to make an impact, other than to shake up the lines (based on reward for production and contribution either way), is to add another player to the mix.

The club are yet to honour the promise of using the increased income to improve the team. So far, it has been a deck shuffle.

More players that have left for pastures new in the EIHL, have scored than those brought in. More league known players not brought in, have scored, compared to those the club opted for.

Save, for Nick Welsh.

Last November saw the impact Brett Ferguson had in balancing the middle deck. That isn’t required. Genuine, proven experience that would fit the mould of Ferguson, with the output above what has currently been brought in, would be the ideal tonic to add to the group.

More to come on a free agent who would be an ideal candidate to positively impact the roster before they find themselves adrift from a rapidly approaching rocky slope.