The Cardiff Devils entered the twenty-third week of the season with plenty on the line in the Challenge Cup and Elite League – and Pete Russell’s team endured a torrid time of it in both competitions.
The Devils visited the Utilita Arena on Wednesday [5 February], but were torn to pieces in leg-one of their semi-final clash with the Sheffield Steelers and doubled down on Saturday [8 February] when bamboozled on home ice by the Coventry Blaze.
While Cardiff returned to winning ways to close out the week, they lost vital traction in the title race and face an uphill battle to make the Challenge Cup final.
With that in mind, let’s dive into Stock Up, Stock Down – a weekly series in which Luke James will unpack key developments across the Elite League.
Stock Up – Jason Grande & David Tendeck
Predictably, Nottingham Panthers netminder Jason Grande featured in my latest team of the week. I write ‘predictably’ because the American now leads the Elite League in save percentage and goals-against average, despite touching down in the East Midlands on New Year’s Eve and being iced relentlessly ever since.
Grande continued his impressive form versus the Dundee Stars and Glasgow Clan, recording a .955 weekend save percentage as Nottingham claimed three points in the title race.
Jason Grande, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Meanwhile in Manchester, the Storm went pointless despite another pair of excellent performances from midseason netminder addition, David Tendeck.
Tendeck, just five appearances into his Elite League career, has excelled amid difficult circumstances, upholding a .936 save percentage despite facing a shot every ninety seconds behind Manchester’s leaky blueline.
In sum – Grande and Tendeck deserve credit for their impressive performances since stepping into their respective creases midway through the season.
The Panthers and Storm recruited impressively.
Stock Down – Cardiff Devils’ Domestic Silverware Hopes
Following their Continental Cup triumph last month, the Devils already have a trophy in their cabinet this season, but their hopes of doubling down on their success in domestic competitions is fading – fast.
Cardiff, weakened by injuries to Reilly Brandt and Reid Duke, are now fourth in the standings after a run of so-so form and are eleven points behind the league-leading Belfast Giants (albeit with two games in hand).
Wednesday’s defeat to the Steelers in the Challenge Cup is made more painful by the nature of their loss – it was three powerplay goals (for hooking, slashing, and holding) in a 15-minute span that precipitated their downfall.
Marc-Olivier Vallerand, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Dean Woolley)
The Devils face the Steelers again on Wednesday [12 February], before a weekend of must-win games versus the Fife Flyers and Storm.
Since 26 January, the Devils are 1-5-0 and have become increasingly reliant on their top-line stars’ offensive production.
Josh MacDonald is Cardiff’s only 20-goal-scorer, with Cole Sanford (12), Joey Martin (12), and Zach O’Brien (13) the only other Devils to break the dozen-goal plateau.
Pete Russell needs more from his middle-six and blueline – or else the slide will continue.
Stock Up – Belfast Giants’ Powerplay
The Giants toppled the Guildford Flames in a nail-biting shootout on Sunday [8 February], extending their winning run to a fifth game.
Adam Keefe’s powerplay was a crucial factor in the win, with Mark Cooper opening the scoring on the man advantage before JJ Piccinich forced overtime with his 56th-minute dagger.
Belfast jointly lead the Elite League in powerplay conversion with a one-in-four clip.
Mark Cooper, Belfast Giants (Image: William Cherry)
Their title rivals rank ninth (Nottingham), seventh (Sheffield), and fifth (Cardiff) in the same metric. By the end of the season, powerplay efficiency could make all the difference.
Stock Down – Manchester Storm’s Playoff Hopes
The Storm have a mountain to climb at the foot of the table, with Mike Morin’s squad now four wins behind the Dundee Stars in the race to secure the final playoff-paying position.
It’s a three-way battle – and Manchester are losing it.
| Points | Games Played | Maximum Points | |
| 7. Glasgow Clan | 33 | 35 | 71 |
| 8. Dundee Stars | 33 | 38 | 65 |
| 9. Manchester Storm | 25 | 35 | 63 |
The Storm are 4-9-0 since New Year’s Day, which includes one of Fife’s three wins on the season. Dundee, meanwhile, are 6-4-1 through the same period.
It’s starting to feel like now or never for the Storm, who host Dundee this Friday [14 February] before facing the Clan and Flyers later this month.
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