After every round of the Elite League season, British Ice Hockey’s Luke James will give you his Team of the Week picks.
Here are his selections for gameweek eleven.
Which players made your team? Join the conversation in the comments.
Elite League Team of the Week: Round 11
Matthew Greenfield, Sheffield Steelers
For the first time in a while, there isn’t a standout candidate for the netminding position.
Ben Bowns kept a 17-save shutout against the Fife Flyers, Justin Fazio made 34 saves on 36 shots in an overtime win over the Glasgow Clan, and Evan Wenninger made 42 stops to deny the Cardiff Devils.
But Matthew Greenfield just about claims the net.
He shutout the Manchester Storm on Sunday, making 19 saves and stopping 1.11 goals above expectations, less than 24 hours after he made 28 saves on 31 shots in a losing effort against the Nottingham Panthers.
Nick Welsh, Manchester Storm
Nick Welsh, Manchester Storm (Image: Mark Ferriss)
The Storm endured a Sunday to forget, falling 5-0 to Sheffield, but their overtime victory versus Cardiff from the night before warrants further inspection.
Nick Welsh played a starring role for Cam Critchlow’s side once again, contributing two powerplay goals and a five-on-five assist from the blueline.
The 28-year-old remains on top form.
Mark Richardson, Cardiff Devils
Readers, I hope I’ll be excused for this big-picture-driven pick.
Mark Richardson became the Elite League’s all-time leading appearance-maker on Sunday, surpassing Jonathan Phillips by playing his 1,178th game.
Cardiff defeated the Fife Flyers 5-0, with Richardson playing 17:29 and recording a secondary assist.
Cole Ully, Guildford Flames
The Guildford Flames’ injury struggles are well-documented, but Paul Dixon’s side continue to admirably chip away.
Guildford came from behind to beat the Glasgow Clan in overtime on Friday, with Cole Ully scoring twice in a three-minute span in the second period.
Ully’s brace took his tally on the season to 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 12 games — a highly respectable clip as the Flames navigate a tricky opening quarter of the campaign.
Ross Armour, Nottingham Panthers
Ross Armour, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Nottingham’s Saturday night win over the Steelers didn’t come easily.
The Panthers fell to 2-0 and 3-1 deficits before fighting their way back and forcing overtime, with Ross Armour the key man for Danny Stewart’s side.
Armour notched a hattrick, a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that he only took four shots (and all of them were on target).
Sharing third-line duties with Bryan Lemos and Didrik Henbrandt, the 27-year-old was impactful all over the ice against Sheffield, producing a flawless, 15-minute performance to the delight of the Motorpoint Arena crowd.
Armour continued his prolific form on Sunday, scoring on the powerplay to guarantee victory over the Dundee Stars.
Mitchell Balmas, Sheffield Steelers
Mitchell Balmas was another protagonist in the weekend’s Nottingham-Sheffield barnburner.
The Canadian scored twice in a losing effort, before stamping his mark on a Sunday night win over the Storm with a goal and an assist.
Balmas is now up to 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 34 games this term.
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