Devils Vs Panthers - Challenge Cup Preview

21st Sep 2012 | Posted by Geriant Walters

Sunday sees the Devils welcome the Panthers to town. The last meeting between the two teams was back in April at the playoff final which the Panthers won 2-0. With quite a few changes within both teams, it will be interesting to see these two new look teams match up.

Ahead of the game, we take a look at the Panthers new signings over the summer.

Coach Corey Neilson welcomes back Craig Kowalski, Stephen Lee, David Clarke, Robert Lachowicz, Matthew Myers, Marc Levers, Matt Francis, Brandon Benedict, Dan Green, and returning as the teams new captain Jordan Fox

Martin Tuma "He's a big tough defence man who plays with an edge, the boss asked me to sum him up in a single word and I think 'nasty' would be as good as any.
"That's what we wanted instead of a goon. He hits like a truck and can toss forwards around in the corners in the same manner Leppy did last season. He can and will fight if necessary. He's a team first guy who I played with during my last season in the States.

"He skates well and is a huge wall of muscle. He's also a left shot which will help in important situations and helps to create more balance in our pairings on the blueline.
"He is keen on the defensive responsibilities and is excited to help lead our penalty kill and help us to shut down opposing teams' top lines."
Fans get their first chance to see Tuma in action when he debuts in the top flight season curtain raiser against Asiago from Italy in international action at the Capital FM Arena on the weekend of September 1st and 2nd."

Jonathan Weaver "I realise I am going to have to find somebody to do my job and who better than the only guy [defenceman] in Elite League history to score more points than me?

"He is fifth all-time for points with everybody - forwards included. He is a quality guy. I had to make up my points and he ticks that box.

"The other thing we are focusing on is the league title. We wanted experience in that area - someone who has won it before.

"We think if we had that guy who has a calming word and the right idea then maybe that would help."

Eric Werner "Everything I hear about Eric fits the bill for us. He was more of an offensive D man during his time in the AHL but then switched to concentrating on defensive duties especially during recent seasons across Europe. He played for former Newcastle chief Rob Wilson in Italy last year and he has only added to the accolades.
"He might not be the biggest at five feet ten but he make game turning centre ice hits and very much takes care of business in his own end. He rarely if ever gets beat one on one and he moves the puck up to the forwards very well. He's a great skater with super mobility."

David Ling "I played against David back in our junior days and he was impressive back then, the guy lead the league in penalty minutes one year, he led the league in points one year, he was dangerous out there. He can score, he’s developed his game since then, he has great vision out on the ice, he’s a great passer, he can score and he’s a bit nasty."
 
“He’s got all those games in the NHL and the AHL under his belt, he’s played at the highest of levels in Europe and Scandanavia and Russia, he’s a proper hockey player. He’s a good person, and he’s another hard worker from a humble background. He’s excited about playing for us and he’s excited about studying at the University of Derby where he’ll be doing an MBA, and he’s excited about the chances of winning championships with the GMB Nottingham Panthers.”
 
Last year in Italy, David Ling had nearly two points a game and his numbers have been impressive throughout his career. He’s another grafter and another winner" added Neilson

Bruce Graham "You don't see many centres as big as him and it will be a mismatch for many of the European defencemen," said Neilson, who is an inch shorter as 6ft 5in. We all saw what problems Hoffmann gave teams when Belfast moved him up front and their guy is not quite as tall.

"The thing is, Graham is more of a finesse player who skates well and has amazing hands for one so big.

"Hardly surprisingly, he is strong and good in the corners with his long reach. He's been a 30-goal a season scorer but he's realistically more of a passer and I expect him to do well in our league."

Pat Galivan "I first spoke to him around three seasons ago," said Neilson. "And I've been wearing him down ever since!

"But that's the way I work. Even though the time wasn't perhaps right for him back then, I always try to build up a relationship with a player in case he has a change of heart.

"It's worked in the past and this time, too, so I am very happy we finally got it done."

As ever, Neilson gets the opinion of fellow coaches and players when it comes to signing new players and reports on the 5ft 11in right-shooter Galivan are nothing but good.

"I've done my research on him and I like what I've heard. One coach even went so far as to tell me that Galivan was in the top one per cent in the ECHL for skill," Neilson said.

"He's also got good wheels and pays attention to his defensive duties too."

Last season in 76 games, Galivan tallied 50 points for Gwinnett, including 25 goals, to become their second top scorer and a real fans' favourite.

He was called up for 24 games with the AHL side Wolves over two seasons but last year his Gwinnett coach departed for pastures new and Galivan and other players were left high and dry."

Jason Beckett "I've wanted Jason for a number of years. He has vast experience in Europe. I'm certain he'll slot straight in," Neilson told the club website.

"He knows his job and he's the kind of defensive defenceman I've been looking for.

"But he can also play forward so if we had any need to move him up front as cover that option will be there too."

Looking at the Panthers team, they look good but the toughness in the team seems to be lacking this year. Losing Lepine was a huge loss for them and not really replaced his presence. It's early days but I think they may come up short in the close games throughout the year.

We will be running the “ridiculously childish and disgustingly biased” Match Night Live service for this game, expect name calling and one eyed bias in epic proportions, at the usual location of http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl if you'd like to help out by texting updates (we’d be happy to hear from you) or chip in with some comments on the night please contact us at matchnightlive@gmail.com.

For details of upcoming away travel with Red Army Travel you can get all the information here http://the-inferno.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6212