If you look for it, I’ve got the sneaky feeling you’ll find that feel-good hockey stories actually are all around us.
The Fife Flyers headline this edition of our Elite League Team of the Week, they did, after all, snap an 18-game skid by winning back-to-back games in overtime.
There is also special recognition for two Sheffield Steelers, and a Belfast Giant.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our picks for the twelfth gameweek of the season.
Elite League Team of the Week: Round 12
Eamon McAdam, Sheffield Steelers
Aaron Fox’s decision to add goaltending depth to his roster continues to pay dividends.
For the last three seasons, the Steelers have relied solely on Matthew Greenfield to stop pucks.
The American has more than held up his side of the bargain, establishing himself as one of the best goaltenders in Elite League history, but running one goalie all season long is a thing of the past.
Tandems are the present (and future) of the sport — not least because having a reliable No. 2 allows the starter to rest, recover, and maintain their standards all season long.
The Steelers invested heavily in their back-up role this summer, signing Eamon McAdam from the Guildford Flames, and it has proven to be savvy move.
McAdam made 46 saves on 47 shots to backstop the Steelers to a 5-1 away win over the Coventry Blaze on Sunday, providing exceptional goaltending as Greenfield took a breather.
In league play, the American boasts a stunning .971 save percentage — albeit through three games.
Simon Després, Fife Flyers
Three Fife Flyers feature in this Team of the Week — a fitting reward for snapping their 18-game losing streak.
Fife started the weekend with a barn-burning overtime win over the Manchester Storm, which saw the lead change hands four times before Giordano Finoro made it 6-5.
The Flyers doubled down two nights later, outlasting the title-contending Cardiff Devils to win 3-2 in overtime.
Simon Després once again deserves his flowers.
The 34-year-old defenceman recorded two assists (both secondary) in the victory over Manchester, playing 19 minutes on the second-pair alongside young homegrown talent Ben Brown.
Després, who has only been with the Flyers for a fortnight, plays in all situations for Jamie Russell, with his first apple coming shorthanded.
He finished the weekend plus-four, which is a testament to his all-round play.
Ian Scheid, Fife Flyers
Ian Scheid’s play has warranted praise all season.
When the Flyers were at their lowest, the 30-year-old was still chipping in with points from the blueline.
Clever on the puck, Scheid is a savvy distributor — and that ability came in clutch in round twelve, with three assists in two games.
Keaton Jameson, Fife Flyers
Keaton Jameson is the Team of the Week’s final Flyer — he scored twice against Manchester, before tallying the overtime winner and a primary assist against Cardiff.
The 28-year-old has six points (three goals, three assists) in his last five appearances.
Jordan Kawaguchi, Belfast Giants
Jordan Kawaguchi, Belfast Giants (Image: Derek Black)
Jordan Kawaguchi continues to power the Belfast Giants’ title chase.
The Canadian scored twice in a shootout win over the Glasgow Clan on Sunday, a day after he scored and provided an assist in a 4-1 takedown of the Dundee Stars.
Kawaguchi has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his last four games.
Mitchell Heard, Sheffield Steelers
Mitch Heard, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Dean Woolley)
Mitchell Heard only plays high-event hockey.
The 33-year-old closed out the weekend with two goals, an assist, and 24 penalty minutes to add to his tally, helping Sheffield claim four points and retake pole position in the title race.
READ MORE:
- Mark Richardson creates Elite League history
- Around the Rinks: Nottingham, Manchester, Dundee, Glasgow win on all-action night
- Fife Flyers sign Swedish forward Anton Karlsson
- Coventry Blaze sign former Hobey Baker Award nominee Adam Robbins
- Fife Flyers call on former NHL’er David Booth to save their season
