Challenge Cup So Far; 2-0-2, 4pts, 3rd Place
CARDIFF, WALES – Devils host a wounded Panthers team this Friday before hitting the road to Steelers the following day, in what could very well be the weekend that determines their fate in the cup and a glimpse of what to truly expect for the full season ahead.
You might be thinking, why this early, in only week three of the season?
For group A in the EIHL challenge cup, each team plays their opponents twice, before setting the progression from said group.
The top two automatically progress, where as the third placed team will face the runners up of group B for a single leg quarter final, erroneously termed, ‘the play-in game’.
If only from a 10-team league, there could be a way to properly divide cup groups.
Alas, from the past two seasons of this turgid format, the teams from their group progressed on the following outcomes;
Last season:
2024/25 Season:
The ideal promotional target in terms of results is of course, to win as many games as you can. Even the EIHL stated last season, the finalists would be placed on win% – which meant Blaze SHOULD have hosted Panthers.
It was made abundantly clear and even the league apologised during the final for getting it wrong – they have reverted to two seasons ago in terms of process (despite what some GM’s might state).
From what you can see of those results, gaining minimum 13 points could see you through, notably, winning 6 or more games.
From last season, progressions saw wins of 7-6-6, the previous season of 7-6-6. Which means, there is a loss-rate cut off point.
4 losses of any kind does seem to be the tipping point on the thin line of progression vs elimination.
So far, the Devils after 4GP, are 50% to that red line.
That is the hard point. Any or complete losses this weekend, would put their cup run into major jeopardy with more than half the group phase played, all before October.
Some might not care about the cup, but this club wants to win silverware and they certainly do not want the IIHF Continental Cup, they want the CHL.
Also, the income from progression and even a final would be a huge asset for their finances. Let alone, roughly a decade since last winning the competition.
If the league cannot be obtained, the challenge cup must be taken seriously.
Playoffs are the floor for this club, not it’s ceiling.
Up First, Nottingham Panthers
Last seasons’ winners and current holders, Panthers, have had as good as start as Devils, especially when facing the Flames.
Of course, one fixture had to be postponed, with a reschedule sometime in October, they, like their hosts, have spent the past week tending to their wounds.
Out of 3GP, they are the only group A outfit yet to log a regulation win and have haemorrhaged goals against too. Although, not as many as their hosts, although one team have seen to their collective GA record in almost equal measure.
Thank you, Flames.
Last season, Devils stunned the Panthers on the road, with a brilliant 6:3 win, but when those Panthers visited the bay, they routed their hosts 5 goose.
Devils were just one good result from qualification to progress, before any team, even Giants, however, their last four cup games saw them skid out of the competition, much to the annoyance of their fanbase.
Both teams have a single skater in the top 20 for cup statistics, Panthers’ Tim Doherty in 16th and Devils’ Gleason Fournier at 17th, both with 4 points.
Whilst this weeks’ visitors haven’t entirely replaced their outgoings in terms of personnel, such as Marcinew, Armour and Fossier – they retained a top 3 forward and added a well known, former Devil, point per game player in Zach O’Brien.
Would he get off the mark in South Wales as another did, such as Cole Sanford?
They have also added another known EIHL player, Spencer Naas, a smaller forward with a nose for net, who has 75 goals from 163GP in the EIHL, a good rate from time spent at the Stars at 46SH%.
Meanwhile, Bayley Harewood is leading the Devils own Brits with 2 points in 4GP, a current 2 game points streak and Josh MacDonald has been sharp to start the season with 3 goals in those last 4GP, he is currently at 47.8 SH% (EIHL career).
On the Power play, this is where a crucial detail would factor in, especially for the good guys. Panthers are at 20% from 5 power plays in their three games, yet only at 50% from 4 penalty kills. Early days of course, however, Devils are at 10% on the PP, from 10 opportunities.
A real monkey wrench.
Once again, their strength is on the PK, with 85.7% killed from 14 penalties taken. Devils had one of the leagues worst power plays overall last season, especially on the PK for both teams in the cup – staying out of the box would be crucial.
Tactical Insights
Danny Stewarts’ men haven’t had the best of starts, however with some added gems in Robson, Naas, O’Brien and Hazledine, they have rebuilt with a sold core.
They, unlike Devils, need time to settle, however, those additions know this league. It is just new systems and expectations (for some).
Panthers defensively have a similar set up, something Flames also exploited. Offensively, at home, they try to utilise their ice, as they should, deploying a wide NZ perimeter trap (1-2-2), which has its own limits, something a common opponent that sets up vertically, can keenly counter.
Inevitably, there is a trade-off at the Vindico, as Panthers need to play tighter from the blue line, locking down the boards from draws off the dots, cycling offensively and keeping the puck wide in transition.
Taken from Devils TV highlights of Devils vs Panthers February 1st, 2026
This is aimed at creating a natural overlap, especially for an odd man rush, which is often the case following an OZ turnover the opposite end.
Devils however, will be praying of less defensive recovery transitions like the image above, which sealed a road win for the Panthers last season.
Road vs Steelers
In both league and cup, the Steelers have been strong, found ways to win and dominate their opposition. It is not just from the forwards and skaters littering opponents nets, it has a stoic, sturdy defence to boot.
They seem the real deal and after their start, Devils would have been ear marked as a key clash and scalp to get this early on in the season.
However, following their midweek loss at Flames (a third big scalp in a row for them), now more than ever this rings true, they would be a wounded animal as well.
That game shown weaknesses in defence but also a key failing that has gone unchanged into the strategy lead by Aaron Fox, sitting the Brits and rolling a shortened bench.
This seems to tire his own team, especially when playing a fast and physical opponent. It is truly bizarre that has never been amended.
This could be a hope for Devils on the tactical front, if they notice only three lines are being run, skate harder against them.
Tactical Insights
Steelers have proven they can score, the latest game on the road for them was against a dynamically active, perimeter focused Flames team, that constantly cycled around to draw players/defenders out of position and use as active screens.
It worked, as there was v,ery little dogged board battles, which often the result was by settling into a 2-1-2 set up, that can use a bumper move and compress defenders.
Something that has clearly been scouted against the Devils this season, as the F3 rarely tracks back to cover the wall where a blue liner had to step in, opting to watch the player and completely miss a breakout.
One team you cannot have a breakout against, is the Steelers.
Defensive breakdowns for the team stem from the trailing forward or banked-in forward. Puck watching instead of man marking and being available when a puck spills following a turnover.
Worse, is an outright giveaway.
Against a transition heavy Steelers team, the awareness of the ice, players to mark and space created, even when setting up in their zone, is key to avoid if mishaps occur.
It is of course, very high risk and equally high reward.
Players such as Mieho, Kontos, Caron and even Sacratini both offensively and defensively fail to engage when needed. Very often, they watch their man skate in and help to offset pressure.
Taken via FlamesIceHockey on Youtube, Flames vs Devils Sept 19th
Leaving a man behind the net without an resistance or checking is dire, especially for a defensively proud team. As the image above shows.
Taken via FlamesIceHockey on Youtube, Flames vs Devils Sept 19th
However, if anyone disagrees with the assertion of puck watching, always and forever come back to this.
Taken via FlamesIceHockey on Youtube, Flames vs Devils Sept 19th
This is by pure observation mixed with curdling, high blood pressure. As the above demonstrates.
It resulted with a cannon of a shot through traffic. There was nothing Bowns could do, other than lament seasoned professionals failing to man mark and keep their shape.
5:1 by the end of two frames.
Previously scouted Alex Young, as an example, operated as a pure F3 in that situation, where tactically, his previous club was set up very similar to the Devils.
He would relax back to the high slot, often creating a tilted 2-3 position, jumping in to cover his D-man either side, as well as pinching up to corral loose pucks along the walls.
Dynamic, active and laser focused, hips always facing the play, shoulders always primed to engage.
One player that excels here is Joey Martin, however, he cannot play on every line.
These small mistakes either nullify momentum gained or gets built into the chaos at the other end. The crux of this and why it is alarmingly worrying, is that the Devils have had arguably the most time to gel and understand their system.
If they continue to fail at executing these systems they are well versed in, Aaron Fox’s bench will definitely exploit it the moment a puck is free.
Ones to Watch
You would be remiss to exclude Mitchell Balmas, who recorded 5 goals last weekend and add more points to his slate this week. 9 points from 5 EIHL games, is not to be sniffed at.
Zach O’Brien got off the mark vs Flames, which was great to see, however, Benjamin Corbeil has shown glimpses of hard nosed play, net front danger and a keen eye for a feed. His 3 points in three games has helped to fashion a sense of return on recruitment, even this early in the campaign.
It is far too easy to suggest who leads in points of course, with Kohen Olischefski, two goals in 4GP isn’t so bad, the same as Corbiel in goals, however, 13SOG from 16 attempts, he is right up there with 15.4 SH%, more than half the team average right now (6.9%).
Keys to the Weekend
1. Stick to Your Man
As highlighted and discussed, the defensive tendencies early on seem not only scouted, but baked in. For a team that is struggling to score goals (2.5/game), they need to lock down and limit opportunities defensively.
Even operating the high risk, high reward set ups, puck/player watching would almost always lead to the barbarity of above.
2. Avoid Defensive Collapses
Something that also curdles the blood pressure to gasket popping induced frustration, is the tendency to collapse deep and attempt to pinch with a poke check.
Boxing players out is a strength of the team, missing Tyson Helgesen is certainly a factor, as Oligny cannot do that alone, nor can the cannon fodder hero, Mark Richardson.
As mentioned before, the defensive group is too OFD-heavy, they need to sacrifice a desire to play the puck and engage physically to allow a covering forward to assist in a turnover.
In addition, marshal that glass on either wing – both forwards and blue liners. Locking that down would stifle the Panthers at home, forcing them to retreat, regroup and recycle.
The NZ must be a battle won.
3. Play Direct
Creativity is a blissful art form, which always has a place. When being too creative in high pressure moments, it can often prove to be costly.
Work the shoulders, find space under the blocker or glove, anywhere but the pillows and logo.
For example, as Robson elects to sit tall and deep to his net, he actively waits and baits for a poke check, always an active stick.
Hard carries to the zone would require support, especially for a drop pass, then a shot high to the shoulder. Avoid the body, avoid the stick.
He also prefers a kick out from long range shots, meaning the puck will travel back. If this team does have natural goal scorers, that should be easy pickings.
Greenfield is the opposite, as he possess elite post to post coverage and lateral mobility. He also opts to smother all pucks around him, earning him a common trait of one of the best goalies.
He does have flaws. Screen him and it pays off. With added tears to boot. Opt for five holes when available, as he sits deep but also vertical.
Devils tend to forecheck deep in an attempt to drag opponents with them, whilst simultaneously diverting the goalies’ eyes to the puck carrier around or behind them.
The emphasis from there on is to move the puck quickly to open gaps and find that seam to the net. It would pay off if the trailing F3 is available.
The alternative is to cycle and drive harder within the mid to low slot, with quick passes to isolate and stand up the blue liners.
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