Cardiff Devils yet to catch fire

CARDIFF, UK – There’s no doubting the potential of this season’s Devils. The team has a wealth of scoring, skill and speed which is matched by a more than adequate level of grit. And, thanks to the strength of its group of UK trained players (including hometown goaltender Stevie Lyle) they also have a depth of quality not seen in Cardiff for years. The potential is there, but results so far have not matched the deserved high expectations placed on this team. The Devils sit 5th (of 8 teams) in the standings, with 9 points in 9 games. This more worryingly includes just 2 regulation time victories.    Despite a few stand-out individual performances and periods of domination, the Devils have struggled to put together 60 minutes of solid hockey giving up a number of leads as a result. Undoubtedly, the team has not had the best chance to settle and it is yet to start a game with a full roster. As a result, lines have inevitably been amended – an undesirable action so early in a season. The Devils have been without key players as well, with captain Brad Voth suspended for 5 games, while star forward Mark Smith has missed the last three games with a lower body injury. As the cog that makes the offence tick, Smith’s niggling injury and now absence has undoubtedly upset the progress of the Devils’ top line. Although Birbraer, Miller and Smith have all recoded at least a point per game, they have perhaps not influenced games as much as expected. Hometown defenceman Jason Stone has also missed a number of games because of injury. Cardiff’s defence is far more offensively minded than in previous seasons and Stone’s stay-at-home qualities have been sorely missed.

Through 12 games (9 league and 3 cup) the Devils possess the worst defensive record in the league giving up 3.42 goals per game. And, while the powerplay is much improved on previous seasons, the Devils’ struggling penalty kill has nullified its effect. Ironically, the Devils’ best performance so far (a 6-5 overtime win against the Sheffield Steelers) came when missing no less than 5 players, including 4 imports, from the line-up. The Devils showed a passion and work ethic for 60 minutes that they have largely failed to replicate in other games. It’s not all bad news for Devils fans. A number of individuals have pulled in consistently strong performances. Star defenceman Wes Jarvis has fed off a career year last season when he scored 36 points including 18 goals. The former New York Rangers second round draft pick already looks certain to better that having recorded 8 goals in his first 12 games.   The Devils’ UK trained players have been a revelation and are arguably leading the team at the moment. 6’3 power forward Phil Hill also looks set to exceed last seasons’ breakout year having recoded a point per game through the first 12. If he continues at that pace he will confirm his place amongst the small number of UK trained players regarded as ‘import class.’ Mark Richardson has also shown that level of class having only converted to defence mid way through last season, while the highly skilled Ben Davies along with fellow upcoming forwards Matt Towe, and Jamie Hayes have demonstrated a tireless work-ethic.   The entire team has shown what it can do at times. The Devils have enjoyed passages of play where they have dominated their opposition, including a recent loss to early pace-setters Nottingham Panthers. They are clearly capable of competing with, and beating, the best the Elite League has to offer. It’s repeating that quality, concentration, and battling spirit over 60 minutes of hockey, week-in week-out, that will determine whether the Devils can reach their undoubted potential and challenge for honours come March and April. Contact the author aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com