CARDIFF,U.K-With 45 games played the Cardiff Devils (48 points) are locked in a battle with Manchester Phoenix (47 points from 43 games) for fifth place in the final standings. The Devils have nine games remaining, which crucially includes two home encounters with the Phoenix.
It’s fair to say that most Devils fans would have hoped and believed that their team would be battling it out for a higher spot, but a series of injuries prevented Coach Gerad Adams’ team from finding its full potential. Nevertheless, the Devils have remained competitive throughout, dispatching of lower league opposition more often than not and pushing title-chasing teams hard for the most part; their most memorable win coming in a shootout success over champions-elect the Sheffield Steelers. The Devils are now just short of a full roster and the recent return of a number of injured players should allow the team to build momentum down the stretch. A key reason for that success has been the signing of former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Matt Elich. At the time of writing Elich has recorded 12 points (3 goals) from nine games, but his points production does not tell the whole story.
Elich’s defensive skills have lived up to their billing, while he has also demonstrated a sharp turn of pace. That, combined with his reading of the game has made it clear why he made it to the NHL. Cardiff-born teenage star Ben Davies has arguably benefitted most from Elich’s arrival. With Coach Gerad Adams opting to split his experienced players over three lines, Davies has played with Elich and Mike Prpich on Cardiff’s top line. The move has seen Davies go from filling a defensive role to providing a genuine attacking threat.
Since Elich’s arrival, Davies is bordering on a point per game and will surely be a key signing for Gerad Adams next season. Davies has taken his opportunity with both hands. Another Cardiff-born player Gerad Adams will be hoping to sign next year is Phil Hill who has already more than doubled his previous best points production in the top flight of UK hockey.
Hill has achieved 40 points (19 goals) from 50 appearances and his ‘import-quality’ stats have helped the Devils remain competitive despite their injuries. Jay Latulippe has arguably excited fans the most. Latulippe, in his first Elite League season has proved to be a real talent with a high level of skill and currently leads the Devils with 55 points (25 goals) from 45 games in all competitions.
While Cardiff is beginning to heat up offensively, it is the defence that has consistently held firm throughout the season, keeping the team competitive during spells where goals were hard to come by. Led by goaltender Peter Aubry (91.9% SP), Cardiff’s defence has allowed just 2.54 goals against on average. The Devils have proved they can battle through the tough times, but will now be looking for their hard work to pay off with a full quota of players available.
The chance to see this Devils team operate at full capacity would also be reward for the fans that have turned out this season. Despite the recession, fans have turned out in record numbers since the clubs’ move to its new home in Cardiff Bay. That rise has been attributed to the work of new owner Matt Burge who took over the club in the off-season.
Burge made such an impression that fans organised an appreciation night for the new man at the helm. However, Burge had a gift of his own as he announced that Captain and franchise player Brad Voth had signed for the 2009-10 season.
While hopes of a league championship disappeared long ago, the Devils can still win two competitions. They face Belfast Giants in the semi-final of the knockout cup and have their sights firmly set on making a big impact in the playoffs, where their aggressive style and ability to beat any team on their day should make them a threat, particularly in the small confines of the Cardiff Bay arena.
Contact the author at Aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com
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