The Cardiff Devils leapt to the top of the Elite League standings — and claimed two Team of the Week spaces in round 16.
Paul Thompson’s side swept the Coventry Blaze in their festive, two-game series to take pole position in the title race, while the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers exchanged blows further up the M1.
With that, let’s dive into our Elite League Team of the Week.
Elite League Team of the Week: Round 16
Mitchell Balmas, Sheffield Steelers
Mitchell Balmas, Sheffield Steelers (Image: James Assinder)
When you’re hot, you’re hot. And Mitchell Balmas has the entire league’s attention.
The 27-year-old continued his sensational form on Saturday [27 December], scoring a hattrick in the Sheffield Steelers’ 4-3 road loss to the Nottingham Panthers.
In the month of December, Balmas has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in seven wins, helping Sheffield win 11 points from the 14 available.
His form is now a league-wide talking point, with Panthers head coach Danny Stewart full of praise for the Canadian.
“We made a couple of big mistakes,” he told rink-side reporters.
“Unfortunately, they were to Balmas, who is probably the league’s MVP right now. It’s the wrong guy to be giving the puck.”
When your arch-rivals’ head coach is waxing lyrical about you, you’re doing something right.
Cole Sanford, Cardiff Devils
Cole Sanford, Cardiff Devils (Image: Scott Wiggins)
The Cardiff Devils faced the Coventry Blaze twice over the festive period, outscoring Kevin Moore’s squad 10-4.
And Cole Sanford played his usual, game-breaking role.
On Boxing Day, he tallied a pair of third period, primary assists, transforming a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 regulation time win.
Sanford scored unassisted and provided another primary helper the following night, as Cardiff inflicted a 5-0 defeat on the Blaze in Coventry.
Joseph Nardi, Manchester Storm
The Manchester Storm would be in a whole world of trouble without Joseph Nardi’s third-line production.
With 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 31 appearances this season, the 28-year-old has proven to be a shrewd signing out of the ECHL.
The Storm played three one-goal games over the festive period, with Nardi scoring in both of their wins.
His first strike came on the powerplay to break the deadlock en route to a shootout win over the Dundee Stars last Tuesday [23 December].
The Edmonton native doubled down on Boxing Day, scoring the game-winner to take down the Guildford Flames 3-2 on home ice.
David Noel, Nottingham Panthers
David Noël, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
David Noel skates into the Team of the Week with three goals and an assist — an impressive haul for a defenceman who twice faced the Steelers.
The Canadian’s first two goals came in a losing effort on Boxing Day, but Noel — and the Panthers — tasted revenge a day later when he netted the game-tying goal and game-winning secondary assist.
The 26-year-old has 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 34 games this term.
Evan Mosey, Cardiff Devils
Evan Mosey remains deadly at age-36.
The former Team Great Britain international has four assists in his five appearances, including two helpers in the Devils’ back-to-back mauling of the Blaze.
Sami Aittokallio, Glasgow Clan
Sami Aittokallio’s case for a place in the Team of the Week is rock solid.
The 33-year-old backstopped the Glasgow Clan to back-to-back wins over the Dundee Stars, making a total of 48 saves on 50 shots.
It’s only a matter of time until the Finn secures his first shutout on these shores.
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