The Elite League remains as unpredictable as ever, with the title race wide open and the battle to make the playoffs still very much undecided.
But we did learn one thing for certain in Round 28 – the Belfast Giants, crowned Challenge Cup champions on Wednesday [12 March], are still on treble-watch.
After an eventful weekend of action, here are our standout Elite League performers.
Elite League Team of the Week – Sunday, 16 March
Netminder – Jackson Whistle, Belfast Giants
Jackson Whistle only played once in Round 28 – but there should be no major complaints about his placement in the Team of the Week.
The Canadian produced a 38-save shutout to backstop Belfast to victory over the Devils in the Challenge Cup final.
With the Giants outshot by Cardiff in the first period, Whistle was a calming influence between the pipes – and ended the night having denied 3.17 goals above expected, including four high-danger scoring chances.
Challenge Cup Final: Jackson Whistle, Belfast Giants (Image: William Cherry)
The 29-year-old, in his ninth Elite League season, continues to make strides, individually, and approaches the IIHF World Championship in pole position to start for Team Great Britain.
Defenceman – Colton Saucerman, Sheffield Steelers
Colton Saucerman is underrated – not least because Dominic Cormier is the standout blueliner in Sheffield – and is more than deserving of his first Team of the Week selection.
Colton Saucerman, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Dean Woolley)
The American was a crucial contributor as the Steelers beat the Guildford Flames and Cardiff in consecutive one-goal games.
Saucerman started his weekend with a game-tying primary assist against Guildford, before opening the scoring in Sheffield’s 4-3 win over the Devils.
Finishing the weekend with 43:37 minutes of total ice time, the 32-year-old remains a highly-trusted member of Aaron Fox’s squad.
Defenceman – Chris Martenet, Glasgow Clan
Another first-time Team of the Week entrant, Chris Martenet makes the cut after an exemplary weekend on the blueline in Glasgow.
The American closed out the weekend with two assists and a plus-three rating, lifting the Clan to victories over the Giants (2-1 after a shootout) and the Coventry Blaze (5-4 in regulation-time).
Martenet, a mid-season addition in Glasgow, has seven points (all of them assists) in 32 Elite League appearances. Solid.
Forward – Deven Sideroff, Glasgow Clan
Deven Sideroff is on a heater.
The Canadian – who joined the Clan from the Kladno Knights last summer – has 63 points (33 goals, 30 assists) in 58 appearances and remains a game-breaker in Glasgow.
Sideroff made crucial offensive contributions in back-to-back one-goal wins, recording six points (four goals, two assists) versus the Giants and Blaze.
Forward – Ryan Hughes, Manchester Storm
Ryan Hughes slips under the radar in Manchester – but his recent impact is impossible to ignore.
The Canadian has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games played, including a pair of assists in a 4-3 win over the Blaze on Friday [14 March] and a goal and an assist against the same opponent two days later.
Despite taking four points (from the six available) in Round 28, the Storm are still below the playoff line – they trail the Dundee Stars by six points, albeit with a game in hand.
If Hughes continues to produce offence at this rate, there’s a chance that Manchester could clinch a postseason berth after all.
Forward – Matt Alfaro, Nottingham Panthers
Lastly, flowers for Nottingham forward Matt Alfaro.
Matt Alfaro, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
The 28-year-old dragged the Panthers to victory over the Storm on Saturday [15 March], scoring once and providing three assists in a 4-1 away win.
Alfaro doubled down with a quadruple assist night against the Fife Flyers on Sunday.
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