There’s never a dull moment in the Elite League.
From sensational comebacks to the title race’s many twists and turns, gameweek thirteen delivered drama in bucketloads.
With that, let’s dive into Luke James’ Team of the Week picks.
Elite League Team of the Week: Round 13
Mat Robson, Coventry Blaze
Few expected the Coventry Blaze to skate away from the Utilita Arena as regulation time winners on Saturday.
But the West Midlanders should never be counted out with Mat Robson between the pipes.
The Canadian produced another exemplary performance, making 48 saves on 49 shots and saving 2.71 goals above expectations.
He also denied six high-danger scoring chances and shut the door on 22 third period shots when the Steelers really started to turn the screw.
Coventry’s 4-3 collapse against the Guildford Flames on Sunday takes some shine off Robson’s weekend, but he just about holds his spot in our all-star selection.
Honourable Mentions: Justin Fazio (for backstopping the Flames to four points), Emil Kruse (for his 36-save performance versus the Nottingham Panthers), and Eamon McAdam (for recording another shutout).
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils (Image: James Assinder)
The Cardiff Devils have Brandon Estes to thank for their Saturday night win over the Belfast Giants.
The American made five blocks and provided the secondary assist on Jimmy Oligny’s 35th-minute tie-breaker.
Estes, who clocked 26:09 ice time against the Giants, doubled down with another complete performance on Sunday, tallying an assist and playing a steadying role on the back-end as Cardiff beat the Glasgow Clan to ice their four-point weekend.
Mark Richardson, Cardiff Devils
It’s two Devils for the price of one.
Mark Richardson played the perfect, 200-foot game on Sunday, closing out plus-three in Cardiff’s 5-1 win over the Fife Flyers.
Mathieu Gosselin, Guildford Flames
Mathieu Gosselin’s only performance of the week was faultless, with the 26-year-old powering the Flames’ 5-2 win over Fife.
The Canadian provided the primary assist on Jake Coughler’s second period opener, before twice putting the puck in the net in the final frame to ice the win for the Flames.
Gosselin, who joined Guildford after a 49-point effort with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cylones last term, has 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in his opening 27 Elite League games.
Matt Alfaro, Nottingham Panthers
Matt Alfaro is on a smoking hot run of form.
He started gameweek thirteen by scoring and providing an assist in the Nottingham Panthers 4-3 road win over the Glasgow Clan on Friday night. (For what it’s worth, his assist was the primary helper on Mitch Fossier’s game-winner.)
On Saturday, he tallied two more primary assists, both on the powerplay, in a losing effort to the Dundee Stars.
And then he popped in another goal on Sunday, helping the Panthers knock off the Fife Flyers to claim four points from a possible six from their Scottish road trip.
As I said, smoking hot.
Mikko Juusola, Sheffield Steelers
Mikko Juusola extended his scoring streak to seven games, scoring on back-to-back nights in gameweek thirteen.
The Finn is now up to 142 points (60 goals, 82 assists) in 158 games — not bad…
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