Devils Vs Giants - Keys to the Game

4th Apr 2012 | Posted by Geraint Walters

So the Devils and Giants make it through to the semi-finals after last weekend's games. Belfast came away from the playoff games v Dundee Stars with an aggregate score of 14-0 and Cardiff produced an all-round great team performance throughout both games to progress with a 7-4 aggregate score v Coventry Blaze.

The Devils were 3-1 down and pulled it back to make it winner takes all Sunday. Devils opened the scoring early on from Phil Hill before Blaze pulled one back. Devils captain Stuart McCrae scored goals 2 and 3 before Jeff Pierce found the empty net late on to confirm the Devils in the finals weekend for the 9th year in a row!

Looking ahead to the Semi-finals between Devils and Giants, We focus on three players we think will be the ones to watch for each team.

Belfast Giants

Looking at the Giants team this season, honestly, there's too many to choose from but we've picked 3 who we think will be key players this weekend at finals weekend.

First up we have....

Robert Dowd

 
Dowd who signed this season from Sheffield after spending 5 years with the Yorkshire team has made a huge impact in his first year with Belfast.

A very determined Brit who seemed to get held back in Sheffield and now given free reign by DC, he's shown what he's capable of.

Looking at Dowd's stats, you would think he's an import but the Billingham boy has shown his worth with an impressive Games played 50 Goals  37 Assists  35 Points 72 before playoffs.

So far in the playoffs, Dowd has Games Played  2 Goals  3 Assists  2 Points  5.

In his last 12 games, Dowd’s stats Games played 12 Goals 16 Assists 12 Points 28

Up next we look at....

Jeff Mason

Mason has been a huge player from the blue line for the Giants this year, he's adapted well to the league after a slow first season but shown the real quality that was expected of him.

Mason has spent most of his time in the East Coast League with steady amount of points while taking the "C" for one season. His overall play is perfect for our league, skilful, gritty and a good sniper.

Stats for the season Game Played 59 Goals 21 Assists 44 Points  65.

So far in the playoffs GP 2 G 1 A 1 PTS 2

In his last 12 games played 12 Goals 7 Assists 12 Points 19

And finally we look at........

Stephen Murphy

Murphy has been constantly progressing year on year and it's showed this season for the Giants, some big games from him which has helped them hugely to get the league title. A certain pundit stated that you couldn't win a league with a British net minder, well obviously he doesn't know much as Murphy with 5 shutouts this year and stood on his head throughout the season proved him wrong.

Murphy started playing back in 1997 as a junior before progressing and heading to Europe for a year or two before coming back to the UK. Murphy has now taken over the GB duties from Devils net minder Stevie Lyle who's called time on his GB career and focusing on his last few seasons playing for his club.

Murphy was shown the biggest respect by no other than Zdeno Chara Captain of the Boston Bruins as the EIHL Select team played the Bruins last year in Belfast. Murphy had a huge night despite conceding 5, he was given the man of the match award.

Murphy's stats for the season Save % for the season 0.923 GA 110 5 Shutouts

Cardiff Devils

We look at Devils players who we think will be huge for the team this weekend and why we think this. No better way than to start with the captain himself....

Stuart MacRae

MacRae in his second season with the Devils has been prolific in the scoring the department since the second half of the season and this showed why he is in the top 10 scorers so far this year and the Devils top scorer. Despite seeming to be the quiet guy, Stu's lead the team up top and with the help from his line mates, the stats, show why he is key to us progressing to finals weekend.

Stu at 29, has gained experience through the ECHL and CHL before signing in Cardiff. MacRae has been a great pick up for the Devils and his stats have been impressive throughout his pro career.

Looking back at his last 10 games, Stu's points consist of Games played 12 Goals 10 Assists 9 Points  19

For our second choice it has to be....

Gerard Adams

G being a player/coach can always be in two mind sets but we know all round, he's a great shut down D man who can add some scoring from the blue line for us. Due to injury, G has put himself up top and mixing up his shifts to help the depleted D. Now with the D back at full strength, G has stayed up top to help the younger players and this is working great. He may not be the most offensive D man but he always gives 100% and knows when to step it up to lift the team.

G has been in the UK for the last 10 years after spells in ECHL/AHL and has been a great credit to all teams he's played for. Looking at his stats the last 10 games, he may not be throwing huge numbers but his presence is enough on the ice to intimidate other teams.

Games played 10 Goals  3 Assists  5 Points 8

Our final choice is......

Scott Dobben

Ok, he may not be the most prolific in terms of scoring but it's the small parts of his game that we tend to forget about, very good faceoff winner, constant turning over of the puck in the neutral zone and his ability to help the juniors on the line get into the game, he's a great player to have.

Dobben a former Sens draft back in 04, has moved about a bit but for a 3rd line centre to come in and to say "replacement for Tylor Michel" wasn't the most ideal heading to have coming into the season.
Totally different player but Dobben has been big for us at times throughout the year as Saturday's 1st leg v Coventry proved with 2 goals.

His stats for the last 12 games show Goals 6 Assists 6 Points 12