League Record So Far; 5-1-1, 11pts, 1st Place
CARDIFF, WALES – Devils host the Dundee Stars for the second time this season, before they hit the road back up to Scotland to face off against a very plucky Flyers team.
To date, the Devils have fully hammered down their home advantages, especially from a long home stretch, built up a robust defensive, that is backed up by fantastic goal tending.
However, their ability to manage close games, especially on the road and maintain a solid defensive structure has been questionable.
Here is the most definitive breakdown anywhere from the EIHL;
1. Home Form Prevails
Even with a very timid three zip win at home on their previous encounter at the Vindico Arena, Devils have dropped just one game at home since February 20th 2026.
17 straight wins at home, 18 from the last 20 (x2 losses vs Giants).
Not to mention pre-season (4) and two home seeded games in the playoffs.
It is some run, they will be certain to continue.
They come up against a team that has 3 points on the road so far this season from 8 games in both EIHL competitions, with one an OTW. So, no regulation road wins yet. (Feels somewhat familiar).
Against the Stars, they have won 5 straight on home ice, their last loss on 03.01.2025, losing 4:2. When playing their next opponent, they have outscored them 28:10 across that stretch.
The average is about this seasons’ meetings, 3:1 on a rounded ratio, with games being won scoring 3 goals a piece.
If recent form is anything to go by, the Devils should be favourites heading into this one.
Of course, home form for another team means just as much. Flyers have dispatched Giants and Steelers in recent weeks even turning over Flames, winning 10:2.
Those wins haven’t been easy. Four of their six victories have needed extra hockey, which for any travelling team outside of Scotland, isn’t on the game plan.
They have taken 50% of their home games to extras, 80% of course they have claimed the extra point, with 60% of their games overall at home so far, being a home win.
2. Ones to Watch (Updated)
As mentioned last week, there were 5 key players to watch as milestones were about to come in. From games in the EIHL to points and point streaks.
Kohen Olischefski hit his games played milestone of 150 EIHL games, he is still 3 points from 100 all time in the EIHL. On the game vs Flames for Halloween, he snapped a 3 game skid in regular season action with a goal.
Josh MacDonald continues to be a plug for his team, despite dropping his streak in the league from the loss vs Giants last week.
He did respond with 3 helpers in the thumping win vs Flames, putting him to 10 points across 7GP in regular season action.
He is one game away from 150 in the EIHL and two points from the same overall. Following the loss vs Giants, he also went back to back with points in games.
Kristoff Kontos continues to get the best out of his line mates, with a very entertaining trend of a 0-2-0-2-0-2 record (all assists).
The scrumpy business is up and running very well, 3 more and he has 100 all time in the EIHL. The only negative is his lack of taking chances, with just 3 SOG across 5 games.
Barrow is still one apple from a century for his own efforts and since Mieho and Caron were dropped to the third line, his production has kicked up.
For Brandt, unfortunately he has missed some action due to a shoulder injury, he is also one helper away from 100 in the EIHL as a Devil.
3. Current Trends & Special Teams
Going into the game vs Stars, Devils are 6th overall for GFA (Goals For Average), with three, where as the Stars are 9th overall with 2.17.
As for goals against, Devils currently hold top spot thanks to heroic goal tending, with 1.57 GAA, compared to Stars at the bottom with 4.33.
Devils have faced just 4 shots less compared to Fife – which shows where the goal tending has been strongest, with some capable defenders in front.
This also aligns to the share of their PK%, as Devils sit third overall with 80 and Flyers at fourth with 77.78%. Stars, however, have the leagues’ worst at 55.5%.
This is all against which team is more prone to taking penalties, as Stars have one of the best discipline records, yet have tanked on the PK.
Flyers have been more frequently sent to the box, with 18 penalties, compared to Devils at 10. For penalties per game average, Devils have the best discipline record here at 1.43, with Stars just behind at 1.5.
This is where the Stars would most likely have their work cut out, as Devils have snapped a stuttering power play into a dangerous addition to their skillset.
Devils are currently sat at 2nd overall with 40% – a huge turn around from the start of the season for them, with Flyers leading at 45%.
Stars, though respectable, sit 8th overall at 20%. Staying out of the box is key for the visitors either way this weekend.
4. Roster Shake Ups
The roster does seem to be set pretty well for who has been icing out together. The undisputed top line is MacDonald – Martin – Olischefski.
Yaremko – Kontos – Barrow has been firing pretty well of late, with Caron and Mieho joining up with Harewood, who has brought speed, creativity and the right work ethic for the pair to adapt with, especially after lining up with Barrow.
With GB duty calling up Sacratini and Harewood, Brandt being injured (shoulder) and Welsh out (lower body), that could mean Mosey returns to the blue line or at least, icing with the third line (Caron, Mieho), with a 5 D assemble being opted for.
That is of course, ruling out Tyson Helgesen (Shoulder) who is yet to return to action. He was seen in a blue, non-contact jersey, which suggests a return is not yet on the cards.
This has prompted the GM, Todd Kelman, to consider another search for an import, hopefully a forward to help bolster the lines, as Jonas Emmerdahl was already brought in, then put on the roster full time, as per the clubs podcast during the week.
5. Further Comparisons
The match ups for this weekend offer some surprising similarities, not to mention the above already covered. Devils have enjoyed some big wins at home, however, they rank pretty low on the GFA and GS front.
This is backed up by their top line performance, sitting 7th with 37 combined points across all EIHL competitions so far. Of course, this line took over from a painful attempt to back new signings, which completely failed.
They are however, just 3 points ahead of Stars to compare as top lines and both are behind Flyers, in 5th, just one point ahead of Devils.
Although close, in terms of goals all three are just as in this department as well, with Devils (7th) having 16 scored across the top unit, Flyers and Stars joint 4th with 17 a piece.
What does stand out from the 16 scored for Devils, is that in the league alone, MacDonald claims 7 on his own, 9 overall. A huge factor them, with 19 points overall, just over 51% of the point share for his line.
Flyers meanwhile have a near even split, 5 each to Power and Petizian, with Partanen scoring 7 overall. Stars almost split theirs between Ewanyk (7) and Nousiainen (8), with Eliseev as a main play driver for them.
Keys to the Weekend
1. Stay Out of the Box
Even though their home opponents’ PP isn’t that dangerous, staying out of the box in total would help this team maintain a solid control of the game.
Flyers averaging over 45% isn’t to be sniffed at, they picked up 6 PPG’s in one game (vs Flames) so it might a little over inflated, however, it doesn’t mean that wouldn’t be the case again.
They have however, gone back to back league games with a PPG, but will also score SH, scoring a man down four times already this season across the EIHL.
A marker that cost Bowns another shutout last weekend vs Flames.
Devils are likely to be as short handed due to the GB games, so for energy sake, it is best to play at EVS, instead of killing off penalties.
2. Lock It Down
Despite having a great GAA record and a wonderful tandem, those games have felt more like getting lucky, rather than a determined structure and execution of assignments given.
This was fully exposed last week vs Giants and highlighted on the road to Storm on Sunday.
Against the Flames, it was one of the best defensive games they have played all season long.
Tight marking all night, marshalled the blue line robustly, never collapsed off the puck to the net and moved every player wide, limiting scoring chances.
Off the puck especially, each race and chase was won, board and NZ battles were won. Their upcoming opponents have very differing styles.
The road games vs Fife would be a physical battle, with less room to move on the ice with the puck.
Against Stars, they tend to soak up pressure and hit to counter, but are very clever along the half boards.
Needless giveaways, failing to man mark or make a presence known has cost this team countless times already, especially recently.
3. Back a Lead
Games like on Sunday vs Storm, have become synonymous with Devils hockey in recent years. From three different coaches, there has been a very familiar story to tell and recite.
Build a lead, let it slip, lose in OT/SO.
Coaches may reflect (league wide) that teams find a way to lose.
Home advantage is one thing, but only managing three vs Stars is too conservative, failing to add more than that on the road, may see a defeat draw near.
Devils on the road average 2.2 goals, with games vs Storm and Panthers helping to build that up. 66% of their road games failed go above two goals for the men in red, which makes the trip to Fife all the more daunting.
If they did manage to gain a lead, adding to it is key. Not sitting back, icing the puck or churning the clock.
Flames on the road aside, Devils have taken the lead in five from six of their road games in the EIHL this season, losing four in total.
Gaining a lead doesn’t seem to be an issue for the team, it is protecting and adding to that lead that appears to be the habit that has stung this team for years, especially this season on the road.
This weekend is a perfect opportunity for the team to prove to their coach and even some doubting fans, that they work on these small, but costly habits, to build that mindset that can carry them through a full season.
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