The Elite League’s ten clubs delivered drama, intrigue, and upsets in the penultimate round of the season.
The Manchester Storm kept their playoff hopes alive with a miraculous Sunday [30 March] night win over the Belfast Giants, leaning heavily on netmidner David Tendeck to deliver the victory.
Belfast’s loss was the Sheffield Steelers’ gain – Aaron Fox’s men won twice (against the Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers) to keep the pressure on the league leaders heading into the final weekend of play.
It would take an unprecedented swing for the Nottingham Panthers to claim the season’s main prize, with Danny Stewart’s side losing to the Guildford Flames on Saturday [29 March], tanking their title odds in the process.
With that in mind, let’s dive into our latest Elite League Team of the Week.
Elite League Team of the Week – Sunday, 30 March
Goaltender – David Tendeck, Manchester Storm
David Tendeck stood on his head to keep his team’s faint playoff hopes alive, with the 25-year-old producing a 49-save performance to stun the Giants in Belfast.
In truth – advanced metrics provided by the Elite League tell much of the story.
Tendeck saved three goals above expectations, not least because he thwarted the five high-danger scoring chances fired on his net.
It won’t come as a surprise that the Canadian has endured a bumpy season in Manchester – there have been nights when his defence failed him and vice-versa – but his play of late is worthy of merit.
Tendeck has maintained a .900-plus save percentage in four of his last five starts, the only exception being Manchester’s 4-1 loss to the title-chasing Steelers on 22 March.
The Storm are still outsiders in the playoff race – but Tendeck’s standout performance against Belfast has kept them alive and won him a spot in the Team of the Week.
Defenceman – Cody Donaghey, Cardiff Devils
Cody Donaghey is probably underrated by hockey watchers outside Cardiff.
The 28-year-old has 73 points (16 goals, 57 assists) in 114 all-time Elite League appearances, which includes a goal and two assists in Round 30.
Cody Donaghey, Cardiff Devils (Image: James Assinder)
Donaghey started the week by providing the primary assist on Bradley Schoonbaert’s 39th minute strike against the Glasgow Clan, before doubling down against the Dundee Stars with the deadlock-breaking goal and a secondary assist on Zach O’Brien’s clincher.
Defenceman – Terrance Amorosa, Coventry Blaze
Always a threat from the blueline, Terrance Amorosa authored another standout performance for the Coventry Blaze on Sunday [30 March].
The Italian left the Clan bamboozled, scoring the game-winning goal – assisted by homegrown duo Jack Hopkins and David Clements – before providing the secondary assist on Morten Jurgen’s back-breaking sixth goal.
Coventry won’t catch Cardiff in fourth, but will lock-down fifth place with two points from their final two games of the campaign.
Chase Gresock, Alessio Luciani, and Nick Seitz’s all-star offensive production has been a major factor in the Blaze’s success under first-year head coach Kevin Moore – but contributions from the backend, primarily from Amorosa, mustn’t be overlooked when we look back on the season that was at the Skydome.
Forward – Alexis D’Aoust, Manchester Storm
Alexis D’Aoust has performed unbelievably this season, with 74 points (31 goals, 43 assists) in 60 appearances for the Storm.
The Canadian scored four times in Round 30, including a hattrick against the league-leading Giants on Sunday.
Alexis D’Aoust, Manchester Storm (Image: William Cherry)
D’Aoust is in a league of his own in Manchester, with the 28-year-old a mind-blowing 23 points clear of his nearest teammate in the scoring race.
Given the deficit the Storm accrued at certain points in the season, it’s miraculous that their playoff hopes are still kicking as we enter the final week of the season.
D’Aoust has more than played his part, scoring seven points (five goals, two assists) in his last five appearances, all of which versus the current top four.
Phenomenal.
Forward – Mikko Juusola, Sheffield Steelers
Remember when Mikko Juusola had doubters?
When the Steelers announced the Finn’s signing two summers ago, social media aficionados responded by browsing his Elite Prospects profile and immediately branding Juusola a bust.
The 27-year-old has more than proven his worth since, with 126 points (55 goals, 71 assists) in 134 appearances and a booming fan club in Sheffield.
Juusola stitched another impressive weekend together with the title race on the line, registering five points in a four-goal win over the Fife Flyers and scoring twice in a 5-1 win over Dundee.
Forward – Matt Alvaro, Guildford Flames
Finally, a shoutout for Guildford Flames forward Matt Alvaro.
The Canadian posted two points (one goal, one assist) in Round 30, but it was his all-round play in Guildford’s 4-1 win over the Nottingham Panthers that seals the deal.
In addition to his powerplay goal (which gave the Flames a three-nothing advantage), he won nine of his 16 face-off draws to frustrate the Panthers in Surrey.
Elite League Results – Round 30
Wednesday, 26 March
- Belfast Giants 10-4 Fife Flyers
- Glasgow Clan 4-5 Guildford Flames
- Nottingham Panthers 5-2 Manchester Storm
Friday, 28 March
- Cardiff Devils 6-1 Glasgow Clan
Saturday, 29 March
- Guildford Flames 4-1 Nottingham Panthers
- Sheffield Steelers 5-1 Dundee Stars
- Belfast Giants 9-1 Fife Flyers
Sunday, 30 March
- Belfast Giants 1-5 Manchester Storm
- Dundee Stars 1-3 Cardiff Devils
- Fife Flyers 4-8 Sheffield Steelers
- Coventry Blaze 6-4 Glasgow Clan
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