Unfortunately, the two losses against Salzburg really put us behind the 8ball as these games (on paper) were our best chances of getting a W.
However, we had our two worst first periods in those 2 games and pretty much gifted them the W’s. That said, we regrouped and dug deep and we’re all over them in both games and pulled the deficits back but couldn’t quite get it done. It could’ve easily been so different.
The Bern and Vaxjo games were always gonna be huge asks to get anything out of as we aren’t the unknown quantity any longer so taking Bern to OT and pushing them all the way in the return match was a fantastic achievement.
Having being in Vaxjo for the game I can say that their speed was just another level, everyone one of them could skate like Fournier and for me that was the deciding factor.
We may have started slowly but make no mistake they were up for this game from the drop of the puck and we did well to hang in there and weather the storm.
Vaxjo weren’t coasting like they may have been last year and the Devils made them work for 60 minutes.
The Devils left everything on the ice at the end and on another night could’ve taken them to OT!
SHL teams could easily compete in the KHL, they just choose not to because the standard of their own league is so high!
Well done Devils, you may not have got the W like last year but you have improved on last year in your play and competitiveness and can be proud of your achievements!