League Record So Far; 4-1-1, 9pts, 1st Place
CARDIFF, WALES – Devil hosted the Belfast Giants for the second time this month, with the hope of extending a 17 game home run of wins in the process.
Here are the key takeaways from the defeat last night;
1. Not All Good Things Last, The Streak Ends
Despite what was incorrectly announced on the tannoy post game, the streak was snapped by the very same team that last beat this club on home ice, the Giants.
A streak that stretched back to February 20th 2026, a scoreline of 1:2.
Considering their last encounter, the view was to do that again. Yet, Giants came better prepared on this occasion.
It certainly wasn’t 15 straight home games, even if you deleted the 2nd leg playoff quarterfinal (still an EIHL fixture), then it would be 16.
In actual fact it was 17 straight and what a run it was. It galvanised a march to finish 2nd in the league, collect silverware via the playoffs and cement a solid base for this seasons’ campaign, as well as to book a ticket to the semi finals in this season’s cup.
What is not to like about that.
2. Lingering Symptoms Finally Exposed
Any regular reader of these articles would be well equipped with not just how to read the game, but also to discern how the Devils play.
Amongst the plethora of industry leading analysis within this site, it comes as no shock that the game was undone due to the same habits that were cause for concern to spark a hopeful and expectant new recruitment strategy, then to be utterly aghast at the high retention from said strategy.
Inherit habits, you keep them.
Jabbing at the puck, not moving the feet, losing board battles, losing the foot race (see second notation), utterly poor defensive zone system, puck watching, blind back hand passing, unforced turnovers, errant giveaways – this almost feels cyclical.
Taken from Cardiff Devils Highlights via Youtube
Even from a scrambling back check, the defensive set up, especially for the forwards, has become a bad theme that creates a stink around the rink.
As evidenced here, point men are free from a quick transition, the forwards elect to chase a puck, instead of instinctively guarding a passing lane, whilst breathing down their mans’ jersey.
With about 6-8s left on the frame, a free wrister from the high slot was all too easy for the visitors.
Even if a high lane is guarded, the ability to lock in is absent.
Taken from Cardiff Devils Highlights via Youtube
Couple that with a poor line change as the team were not controlling the puck, the transition and lack of impetus to compete, lead to a very frustrating goal that all but the sealed the win for the visitors.
Taken from Cardiff Devils Highlights via Youtube
As can be seen from the resulting loss of possession without any pressure, 3:2 ratio still lead to an easy breakaway, whilst skaters were pulled out of position, failed to mark their man, marshal the centring line and puck watched.
There were two testimonial players in this picture and a future captain of the club. The leadership x experience for this play was astounding.
3. Lack of Speed Limits Chances
It is well known the team have heavy forecheckers. Barrow, Brandt, Duggan for his part, Yaremko and even Mieho. That is an easy group to pick from this team.
However, when the puck is carried at the pace of Matt Register, the transition speed wanes and ultimately, the system fails.
What happens then is two fold.
i) Directly limits offensive zone pressure and threats, thus smothering grade A opportunities or even genuine looks on net.
ii) An easy counter the other way, coupled with the collapse-centric system and desperation from the players, often to leads to breakaway goals against or what was witnessed last night.
For the life of me I cannot fathom the change in system and the stubbornness to retain it.
Devils were limited to 22 SOG, at home with just 1 high danger chance.
The difference between this group and multi-year champions is converting those chances. Giants scored on 50% of their high danger, grade A’s last night.
A team built with a system to win silverware, consistently. Not leaning on years gone by to gleam a deposit of trophies that for now, can stretch to a decade.
4. Physicality
The opening 10 minutes of the game was as typical a Devils feature of hockey as you could get. Rambunctious hits, tight board battles and a lot more work on the checking.
Devils put up 26 hits on the night, the first period was the more effective, yet, looking around the feedback across the fanbase, there was none, save for the fiesty antics at the end of the game.
It was raised on the review of last week, the eye test is certainly missing, so maybe not just those who make key decisions for the club.
What was evident, was the physicality the other way. The last game the Giants looked intimidated and even bullied. This time, as already stated, they were better prepared.
They gave as much as they got and then some. Their hits were less (15), however they made their physical battles more impactful.
I lost count of how many men in red were sat down on the ice from innocuous board battles or combative play in the OZ, the most resourceful was the blue line trap, which after 4 coaches since 2019, has still to be figured out, despite the experience from within the paying staff.
Something has to give – a coaching (adding not firing) change, system change, mindset change or personnel change. Perhaps all of it, as the results have been far too kind for this level of play.
5. Caron, Finally, Off the Mark
It has taken 15 games and finally, the Devils faithful have seen him score a goal to log his first as well as his first point proper.
We will absolutely discount that non-assist point vs Panthers for all time.
He played to his strengths, which was his speed, despite a continuation of absent minded line defence, puck watching and being easier to turn over than Evan Mosey.
He was able to pinch and rocket off with pace, leading the puck five hole through Kupsky and gained a well earned man of the match, as that was actually the only bright part of the game from a home point of view.
Meanwhile, due to additions to Storm, they have cut a defender who they felt didn’t make the mark, after putting up 6 assists in 14GP and being a solid blue liner for them.
One goal from 15GP is enough for any good hockey team to call it a day on a player, let alone zero goals in 10GP.
Perhaps a final hurrah, perhaps a starting point.
Needless to say, the disappointment from the off-season recruits (bar Nick Welsh), encapsulated the previous few weeks with quality on the ice.
A Look Ahead to the Weekend
Guildford Flames at Home
There is no better way to get back on the wagon to rekindle a home run of wins than the next game being back at the place we call, home.
The tricky part is that this team are utterly unpredictable this season, with a cohort of excellent players, especially a couple of former Devils.
Sanford had the near perfect return the last time he visited the Vindico, then helped to pull apart the Devils on their own ice.
Welsh aside, Sanford (9) has more goals than any of the new forwards, including Yaremko and Harewood. In terms of total points through all EIHL competitions, he also has the same, 16.
That is before looking at O’Brien (5G, 15pts), or even Perlini. Welsh was a solid addition, however, he took a knock early in the contest on Wendnesday night, so having the likes of Hazledine (2G, 7pts) would have also been a decent insurance marker to boost the team, had recruitment gone properly.
Flames have one loss in their L5GP, where as Devils have 3 regulation wins and collected 7 from 10 available points in their L5GP.
It is certain to be an intense battle, especially as net minders Fazio and Arvanitis are finding good form since their unexpected drubbing in Kirkcaldy, which has cooked their SV%’s.
MacDonald (5) still leads the league with goals scored so far, however, you have to look outside the top 20 for the next Devil, Riley Brandt with three.
Above him are four Flames skaters also on three goals, Boudrias, Neumann, Alvaro and Waller.
In terms of points, MacDonald sits 5th overall with 7 in regular season games, with two Flames skaters also inside the top 10, Waller and Neumann with the same.
Again, two more Flames skaters sit inside the top 20 for regular season points, with the next Devil just outside, once again, that man, Brandt.
This also backs up the discrepancy of point production and the spread per team.
To rank the top lines, Flames after their win vs Stars have put themselves 2nd overall, where as Devils still linger at 7th, a point either way of Stars and Flyers across all EIHL competitions.
It cannot be stated enough or more clearly, there isn’t a league title winning team in South Wales until opponents arrive, at least for now.
Storm on the Road, Dead Rubber or Play for Pride?
Storm have made some noise recently by acquiring Canadian forward, David Morley and then subsequently cutting loose Patrick Kudla, who is said to be Amiens bound.
As stated on league leading pod, the EIHL Face-Off Podcast, the Storm were looking light on goal scoring threats, even despite Anton Karlsson waking up a bit.
It shows an organisation recognising needs must, which is fantastic to see.
As stated on X, all new Devils forwards this season, plus Yaremko combine for less goals than Sanford and have put up the same points.
Whether the loss of a competent defenceman and addition of a veteran, smaller sized forward that had over a point per game career, especially in Europe, pays off, is yet to be seen. Decisiveness won the day, nevertheless.
Storm are now out of the cup, but a win for Devils would bolster their dire road record, especially in the cup and secure top seed from Group, which would mean a home fixture for the semi-final instead.
Storm are also 1 regulation win in their L5GP, though, they do have a game before they face off against the Devils, vs Blaze, who are also playing for pride.
For the Devils, this would be their first foray to the AO Arena in Manchester this season, a fixture that always provides fireworks, high octane drama and incredible goal tending.
Ones to Watch
Devils – Josh MacDonald; it goes without saying, that so far this season, MacDonald has been the light bearer for the club and right now, they need him more than ever to find a way to bounce back and restore their energy.
Flames – Cole Sanford; as he did on the previous occasion, Sanford would be skating in his former home with huge expectations, however, so far this campaign, he has kept himself out of the penalty box and focused on what he does best, production.
Storm – Brandon Cutler; already 20 points across all EIHL competitions, Cutler has been the player that should have been picked up by the Devils. Chips in across all primary offensive situations, steady with the puck and smooth skater than can take and throw a hit.
If Steelers were able to sign Mitch Heard early last season, there are simply no excuses as to why the Devils cannot dip in the war chest provided by the fans’ ST expenses this season with at least 2 spots left on their roster (after Helgesen when he returns).
Injury Watch
As seen from the last 3 games, both Evan Mosey and Sam Duggan returned to action, faster than expected. Both were scheduled for longer returns to duty, which is pleasant to see.
Duggan returning to face the Giants last night in a highly crucial game was not the best decision as far as roster management is concerned, with the current understanding that Sacratini wasn’t playing with a knock/injury himself.
Considering a near dead rubber game on the weekend and an opponent better suited for a return than the current league champions, saving him (Duggan) would have been an obviously smart move.
He was slow to react, slow at the races, out of position and slow to make hits on the forecheck. A very poor decision indeed.
Mieho is still out of action, but not formally disclosed why. He does have a history of serious injuries, so coupled with his limited career game time and absolutely none of it as a top 6 player, perhaps a tactical replacement is long over due.
Nick Welsh picked up what looked like a nasty twist on his lower body last night, the hope is that after assessment he would be fine to play, however, if not, another injury, with no Helgesen return for the blue line, meaning Mosey would need to cover back to D.
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