League Record So Far; 5-1-1, 11pts, 1st Place
Challenge Cup; 6-3-1, 12pts, 2nd Place – Advanced to Semi Finals
CARDIFF, WALES – In a week of three games against tough opposition, to say 50% of the points were taken, progression secured for the semi finals in the cup, a player finally getting on the board and retaining top spot in the league.
It would be snapped up.
Here is a breakdown of the weekend and response to the midweek defeat by Giants;
1. Bounce Back
After a pretty terrible game mid week, the Devils had a daunting task of going to be battle with one of the hottest teams at that moment, the Guildford Flames.
Their top line ranked for 2nd overall in terms of production, they were just on a high after making the third slot in the cup with chances increasing as Storm couldn’t find a way to launch a march for that quarter final game.
They have one of the best goalies of last season and this time, weren’t as depleted as their hosts.
It took less than two minutes to find the net, on the power play to boot, for Nolan Yaremko to start his night. This was doubled down by Estes, then in the same frame, Barrow added a piece, Panu Mieho got his first goal after 9 games and Caron added a helper to start a point streak.
4 goals to the good and the Flames were reeling.
Shortly after the 6th goal went in, thoughts were turning to Fife and double digits, however, Flames stopped a shutout for Bowns SH, but by then, the damage was complete.
A perfect way to reset and show what they had in the locker.
2. Multi-point Nights
As mentioned, Yaremko kick started proceedings early on the power play and he even had a chance for a really fast Gordie Howe after getting arguably the hardest parts out of the way within three and a half minutes.
He ended his night with two goals and a helper, snapping a 5 game pointless skid that had some fans questioning his commitment.
Brandon Estes had one of his best weekends so far this season, who has been pretty quiet compared to his first as a Devil. He collected a goal and an assist on the night, but never stopped there.
Kristoff Kontos continues to fill his barrels with apples ready to distill, he has 12 points from 13GP combines, 6 from 5 in the league (all apples) and is 3 from 100 in the EIHL and 4 goals from 50 too.
Josh MacDonald continued his hot start, this time from distribution, as questions surrounding supporting production started to rain down following the midweek defeat.
He put up 3 helpers along the way, a key presence all night from hitting, to silky mitts and being a vocal leader. He now has 10 points in the league and 19 combined from 17GP. What a start and rebound from last season.
3. Caron Finally on the Board
Midweek, the only goal Devils had was from Thomas Caron, the third liner billed as a ‘top 6 offensive driver’.
His phantom assist has now been adjusted on the EIHL website, as he was no where near and even his first goal, he barely had control, getting stick lifted all the way through.
It doesn’t matter how that puck goes in for your first, as long as it does.
From 17GP, he now has only 4 points. However, points in his last 3 games, including 3 goals and 1 (actual) assist, has been a week he really needed, as by rights in any other league, he would have been axed a few weeks ago.
4. Poor Road Form Continues
Despite their start on the road vs Storm, in a game that meant more to them than the host, or at least it should have, the travelling Devils continued to frustrate their fan base with their road form.
Caron had a brace of goals to make it 3:1, yet, the offense was drying up across the bench. It was even called out, again, by their coach after the game.
They let the lead slip and then lost in a shootout. A point was taken, but top spot wasn’t and that was a sour pay off from a very mixed week of results.
For their hosts, they celebrated as if it was a game 7 Stanley Cup winner, however, they had lost their previous 4 in the cup and needed that win.
Devils meanwhile, have won just once in regulation on the road, going to extras twice and losing. This is an early concern for a fanbase that expects a title following the mind numbing decisions for offseason recruitment.
5. Injury Concerns Resurface
During the home game vs Flames, Nick Welsh lost his balance awkwardly and hurt his leg, since then he has had a scan and looks to be out for some time.
The initial thoughts are week to week, however, with Tyson Helgesen still not back from his off-season surgery for a subluxation of the shoulder, questions are starting to form surrounding the ‘when’ not ‘if’ arrival for his presence ont he ice.
The team are physical enough, however, even with Brandt missing on the weekend, they still out-hit their opponents. It is more that further presence needed, of which, concerns have now turned toward Brandt.
Panu Mieho returned on the weekend, put up a goal and got rocked by a very poor and extremely illegal check to the head (leading a ‘high elbow’ whilst leaving the ice to make the hit). He has only just come back from concussion.
All of this and they are set to lose a couple of Brits, Harewood & Sacratini for GB action this weekend.
Final Thoughts
It was a week to largely forget and especially one to avoiding reading too much into it.
Against Flames, that wasn’t their first beating on the road, if Fife can put 10 past them, then this team should be able to.
Defensively, since that Giants game, they restructured in parts and it paid off. Flames were limited to just 14 SOG and almost held to just 3 per period.
They played higher up the DZ, protected the blue line and stifled every chance Flames looked to make. They gave no room, gave no quarter. Won every puck battle and punished them the other end.
Sadly, that wasn’t the same on the road. Granted, it is a tough turn around, but for the make up of this squad, who know the league and have played under the same coach for a long time now, that should never be an issue.
This time they were held to just 21 SOG, largely at the mid point/high to wide slot and couldn’t get down the left wing at all.
There was a lot of unforced icings that game, which ate away time to attack, putting themselves under pressure without need and failed to see the game out.
With some roster arithmetics soon approaching, they host Stars at home next, after already losing in OT in a similar fashion on the road, before heading to Fife for their first show down of the season.
Not difficult, not easy.
As for a little hype over some players, the optics are of course skewed. Yes, some goals (finally) after 7 weeks.
It is hardly time to beat a drum about it – the factor was a player they will be missing this weekend, Bayley Harewood.
Even with Mieho and Caron finally adding some meaningful primary points on the board, the gap to that and their existing resume’s suggest it might just be a flash in the pan.
The club would no doubt roll 3 lines for forwards this weekend, so it would be a surprise to see the pair promoted just now. If they can back it up, then rightfully so.
However, as expected and scouted, they, with Harewood provide the perfect third line. That is their ceiling, nothing more.
For Harewood however, it is reward, of which can certainly be explored for increased responsibility, his ceiling is higher, if he can turn the skill and vision into points and goals.
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