Challenge Cup So Far; 3-0-3, 6pts, 2nd Place
L5GP; 2-3-0
CARDIFF, WALES – Devils hosted a desperate Panthers team that was also licking their wounds from a subpar start to their campaign, before heading on the road to face a Steelers team, also in the same boat, waiting to pounce on a weary, depleted Devils road team.
It was the half way point in the cup for the men from South Wales, already under early pressure to meet expectations and match the price that has cost loyal fans so dearly this early in the season.
Here are the key observations from the weekend;
1. Yaremko at his best
It has long been said that a fit and healthy Nolan Yaremko would be a huge addition to the group. He missed most of last season with an awkward and annoying injury, then when he returned, he came back swinging and became a playoff hero.
The start of competitive EIHL action hasn’t gone the same way, until Friday night vs Panthers.
For the initial 3 games, he had recorded zero points, then picked up an assist vs Flames, before logging a goal, an assist and a fight, for a hallowed ‘Gordy Howe Hat-trick’.
He was a standout player for most of the game, being first to every play, disruptive with the puck and body, as well as finding the ability (and time) to play in his line mates. He was originally accredited for another assist, however, the game sheet has been updated since.
If he can string a few of those performances together at home, he will be a rising stock, that is for sure.
2. Early goals, concerning starts
For 3 games on the bounce, Devils conceded early, this time another former Devil, Zach O’Brien, helping to log the goal, before netting his own for a multi-point night.
It seems to be as much a running theme as their home and away form this season, where 4 of the 6 games played in the cup so far, have started the team on the back foot early.
They had managed to bounce back, showing the very character that most fans adore, however, it is showing early signs of a lack of mental preparation and a stack of missed assignments, which have been contributing negatively so far.
3. Power play tweaked, for now
Further to Yaremko’s excellent game, he found himself on a slightly revamped PP1 unit, consisting of Fournier, MacDonald, Martin and Barrow.
Prior to the PP marker, they were literally 1 in 10 attempts. 10%.
It really improved with the chances they had during the game, each team having three, for 33.3% success rate. Fournier got the marker to put them 2:1 ahead before the end of the second stanza.
A call was made in a previous article to not let last seasons’ dissonance get in the way over key decision making, it looks like it paid off.
There was less time wasting on the build up, the transitions were cleaner, allowing for greater puck management and direct when in the OZ.
Fournier the main beneficiary, 5 points from six games, leading all Devils for shots (40) and SOG (25).
4. Multi-point nights for deserved players
As mentioned, Yaremko had a Gordy Howe Hatty, however his night was a goal and a helper, where as MacDonald contributed for a goal and two assists, Barrow with two secondary assists and the Goat (Martin) also had a goal and a helper.
Barrow has been languishing on that top line, stifled by a lack of creativity, with extremely poor puck management and defensive reads.
It is almost a crime that the likes of Yaremko (13:17) and Brandt (15:34) are getting less ice time than, Thomas Caron for example. 6GP, 0 points, -2 and just 6 SOG from 9 attempts.
MacDonald (6), Martin (4) and Barrow (4) lead the team so far, although Mieho, also has 4 points. He is 55% on face off wins, with just 3 SOG and 3 of his 4 assisted were secondary helpers.
Neither should be anywhere near the top line and it shows.
5. Further injuries inflict early season concerns
After roughly seven minutes of time played by Evan Mosey, he went off with what looked like a nasty entanglement in the NZ and favouring his knee. This was later confirmed by the club, with him out at least until December.
In the post game interview, Coach Thompson also disclosed that Kristoff Kontos would be out for a few weeks and it looks like there could be more to that as well.
Both now join Duggan and Helgesen out injured, which puts further pressure on their blue line.
These were the risks and hopefully with the experience Mosey has, he will rehab and recover well.
This prompted a signing of former Fife Flyer, Jonas Emmerdahl, a tall, stubborn, hard to play against defenseman, who knows this league and was a former captain.
Not quite what the club would have needed, however, with the blue line group now so depleted, needs are a must, however, if the offensive struggles continue for some players, there might well be another addition to assist in that department.
6. Another road defeat, a worrying pattern
Currently, the team are playing .500 hockey right now, which is something Stars and Flyers aspire to. It is actually more fitting for the Devils, as this has all come from regulation play.
The positive is that Devils are still undefeated on home ice this season, which stretches back to, 20th February 2026, a 2:1 loss vs Giants.
Devils are now up to 11 straight wins at home across all EIHL competitions, whereas for the road, their last competitive away win was 11th April vs Blaze (also 2:1), however, prior to this season, their last competitive loss was back in March, also vs Blaze.
Devils have a lot of home games coming up, the first being back to bacl home DH for league points, then a cup game vs Blaze. Something in the mixture, that is for certain.
5 home games on the bounce, which in current form, should favour them.
With less travel needed, this should also help recovery and reduce the risk of further injuries.
7. Barrow off the mark, as Devils succumb outside of 5v5
Barrow got his first goal of the EIHL season, with a primary assist awarded to Mieho, something both players would have been wanting.
For Barrow, it was fine reward after pinching at the DZ blue line and scoring a sharp wrister on a breakaway.
He has picked up 3 assists so far, for 4 points in 6GP, with 4 more needed to get to 100 EIHL helpers.
His line mates on the F1 unit haven’t helped, combining for just 9 SOG so far in this early season. Barrow so far has 25 SOG. This isn’t rocket science.
Surely a question for the coach is to place into strong consideration, especially given the depleted nature of the squad currently, to restructure the lines and use home advantage to help build confidence or fast track players out of a deal.
On the road, the team have scored just 4 goals. Not near enough to compete. At home, they sit more comfortably, with 12 lamps lit.
They rank 4th overall with GS, yet 8th for GA. Three of of those came from an ENG, SHG and PPG vs Steelers.
This backs up their overall special teams position in the cup so far, at 7th.
8. Starters net there for Stoever
Bowns would have wanted a couple back on the road at Steelers, especially on the shorty. He has conceded 11 goals in 4 games, but still has a respectable 92.52 SV%.
His only upside is a single win from those 4GP.
Stoever meanwhile, has a similar SV% (by .13), with 5GA and two wins from two games.
This could well be his weekend to make that claim, as the team would want to be as strong as possible in all areas.
Both goalies have coughed up early biscuits, however, Stoever seems to have a stronger resolve and less of a risk for rebounds.
9. Odd stats, interesting variables
Only four skaters aside from Duggan and Helgesen, as they are yet to play competitively, have record zero points so far. Split equally between Brits and Imports.
Notably, the Brits are amongs the oldest, which might back calls for a total refresh after last season, the others are veteran blue liner Oligny and his former Manitoba Moose team mate, Caron.
Richardson, of course leads blocked shots with 11, every single skater who has played since opening night, has blocked at least one shot.
Of the players who were added, only two goals have been scored so far, including Yaremko, added for flavour and to see his impact if he could play a full season.
A total of 11 points across all new forwards, Yaremko and the added Brits.
Compare with what could have been, which were players unsigned, reneged upon and former players, such as Zach O’Brien, 13 goals have been scored, with 25 points amassed.
There have only been 6GP, yet, there does seem to be daylight and dark clouds from the off-season strategy, if this holds, it wouldn’t look pretty.
10. Roll Call for Mieho
Hailed as a hidden gem by the owners, the perennial 4th liner was touted to be an offensive driver and one that would ‘fit the mould of Juusola’ if let free on the top line.
That has been where he has lived across pre-season and so far with competitive hockey.
Amongst all Finnish skaters who have recorded points across the EIHL this season (11), he ranks just 8th and a far cry from the top three.
Even the above comparative player provided ranked 6th.
He is second bottom in terms of SOG for the club (3), last amongst all forwards on the team and 12th overall for shot attempts (10).
He does have some nuance on the dots, averaging at 55% for face off wins, however, much of those draws eventually become turnovers, but this isn’t a trait solely on his sticks.
For the praise and doubling down on forums by the owners, the math certainly isn’t adding up, so with this weekend offering regular season competition, it might provide an early season clean slate to build upon.
However, after 13 games played in total since joining, 4 competitive points, all assists and three of those from secondary helpers, it simply doesn’t determine or keep any player on the game day roster, let alone top line.
Luckily for him, with the injuries accrued so far and no reinforcements to help with the forwards group (at least not yet), he may just keep his place, but if that pace continues, how long for, especially when the team returns to full strength?
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