In February, the Elite League delivered drama in bucketloads. There were twists and turns in the title race, with the Cardiff Devils plummeting out of contention, the Belfast Giants reinforcing their lead, and the Nottingham Panthers drawing inspiration from a standout midseason arrival.
Towards the bottom of the table, the season took a turn for the worse in Manchester and Fife – the Storm are seven points below the playoff line, while the Flyers battle on for pride and pride alone in tenth place.
There was no shortage of high-class play and individual excellence, from Eamon McAdam’s six-point week between the pipes for the Guildford Flames to Richard Sabol’s 37-save performance to lead the Dundee Stars to victory over Belfast.
But only six players can make our February Team of the Month – and here are our picks:
Netminder – Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers
I’m sure this will divide opinion – but Jason Grande takes the net in February, narrowly beating out Jackson Whistle for a place in the Team of the Month.
Grande has played exceptionally since arriving in the Elite League and his form last month was no different.
Nottingham moved above the Devils to claim third place (at least for now), with their 26-year-old netminder an unmistakable factor in their success.
Grande finished the month with six wins (and four losses), one shutout, and a blistering .940 save percentage.
Team of the Month: Jason Grande, Nottingham Panther (Image: Nottingham Panthers)
Whistle was similarly impressive for Belfast (his 63-save weekend against the Devils stands out) – but leaky nights against Sheffield (allowing three goals on 28 shots) and Fife (when five of the 22 shots he faced found twine) count against him.
Eamon McAdam was also exceptional through five appearances.
Played: 10 | Record: 6-4-0 | Save Percentage: .940 | Goals-Against Average: 2.00 | Shutouts: 1
Defenceman – Drydn Dow, Dundee Stars
Nobody was more important to their team in February than Drydn Dow.
The Stars went 5-2-1 on the month to outpace Manchester in the battle to secure the final playoff place – and Dow was lethal from the blueline throughout.
The Canadian, a six-year Elite League veteran, posted nine points (three goals, six assists) in eight appearances – a remarkable haul for a defenceman playing on a team fighting for their playoff lives.
Dow is crucial in all situations for Dundee, with the 32-year-old leading his team in average ice time (23:07) on the season – the majority of which versus top-line opposition.
Played: 8 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 6 | Plus/Minus: +5
Defenceman – Dominic Cormier, Sheffield Steelers
Dominic Cormier is really impressive.
The 27-year-old is a true two-way contributor for the Steelers, with his reliable defensive game underwritten by his ability to stay out of the penalty box. Cormier is in his second Elite League season – and he still only has 14 PIMs.
February was another solid month for the Canadian, who anchored Sheffield’s defence with five 25-plus-minute appearances and 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) through 12 games played.
Played: 12 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 12 | Points: 15 | Plus/Minus: +2
Forward – Robert Dowd, Sheffield Steelers
February was another banner month for Robert Dowd, who scored for the 357th time in his Elite League career to become the all-time leading marksman in Sheffield.
The 36-year-old performed consistently throughout February, but two appearances stand out – five points (two goals, three assists) in a 5-2 win over Belfast and three points (one goal, two assists) in a 5-2 win over Guildford.
Team of the Month: Robert Dowd, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Dean Woolley)
Dowd shows no signs of slowing down and remains one of the most impactful homegrown talents in the Elite League.
It speaks volumes that the Billingham-born forward ranks fourth amongst Sheffield forwards in time on ice this season (18:13).
Dowd is a gamer.
Played: 12 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 7 | Points: 13 | Plus/Minus: +10
Forward – Mitchell Heard, Glasgow Clan
Prolific.
Nobody found the net more often than Mitchell Heard in February, with the Clan forward leading the way with nine goals.
And the 32-year-old’s offensive production is made more impressive when placed within the context of what is on the line for Glasgow at this point in the season.
The Clan entered the month in desperate need of points – they were in a tight battle with the Stars and Storm and risked missing out on the playoffs altogether.
But they finished February miles clear of the playoff line (with a 7-1-2 record) thanks to Heard’s supreme scoring form.
He also came in clutch when it mattered the most, scoring a hattrick in the Clan’s 4-3 overtime win versus the Stars on 15 February.
Heard also made his mark against top-half opposition – a trend underscored by his two-point performance to take down the Devils 4-1 on 28 February.
Played: 10 | Goals: 9 | Assists: 4 | Points: 13 | Plus/Minus: +9
Forward – Alexis D’Aoust, Manchester Storm
Alexis D’Aoust warrants a Team of the Month berth because he produced eye-catching offensive – despite the continued struggles of his team.
The Canadian was a beacon of light in a dark month for Manchester, continuing his chase for the top scorer award with seven goals (and six assists) through ten appearances for the Storm.
And they weren’t empty calorie strikes – D’Aoust scored the game-winner versus Belfast, registered two points in a 5-3 win over Cardiff, and added three more in a 5-2 win versus the Coventry Blaze. Whether Manchester make the playoffs or not, the 28-year-old has played his part.
Played: 10 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 6 | Points: 13 | Plus/Minus: Even
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