The Belfast Giants made a huge statement in round 19.
Humiliating the Sheffield Steelers on back-to-back nights, Adam Keefe’s side find themselves top of the Elite League for the first time this season.
There were also big wins for the Manchester Storm and Coventry Blaze, each carrying Team of the Week ramifications….
Before we dive into our all-star picks, a quick note: we’ve published a separate article on the IIHF Continental Cup.
That’s where you’ll find the Nottingham Panthers’ standout players this time around!
Elite League Team of the Week: Round 19
Mat Rosbon, Coventry Blaze:
It’s been a bumpy old season for the Blaze, but their form is starting to turn and Mat Robson is a major factor in that turnaround.
The Canadian started the round by backstopping Coventry to victory over the Dundee Stars, making 34 saves on 36 shots north of the border.
Sunday’s performance was even better.
Robson made 43 saves on 44 shots to lead the Blaze to a 4-1 win over the Glasgow Clan.
That’s four wins in his last five starts. Clutch.
Karl Boudrais, Belfast Giants:
Keefe said the quiet part out loud last weekend.
Throughout the festive season, the Canadian repeatedly said that the Giants had to prove themselves as genuine title contenders after a so-so start to the campaign.
After last Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Manchester Storm, his tune changed.
“We’re going to enjoy it now,” Keefe, who rarely affords himself such open satisfaction, explained.
“We need to stay humble, get some rest, and get back to work next weekend.
“There’s still a lot of hockey to be played.”
And Belfast’s 6-1 demolition of the Sheffield Steelers on Friday will be regarded as some of the stretch’s most consequential play.
The result saw the Giants move four points clear of Sheffield and reinforced Keefe’s belief that his squad can, and will, fight for the title.
Karl Boudrias produced a standout performance on the blueline.
Karl Boudrais, Belfast Giants (Image: William Cherry)
The Canadian scored twice and provided a primary assist, recording 17 minutes of ice time alongside second-pair partner Mike Lee.
Saturday’s 7-1 bulldozing was a quieter night for Boudrais: just the two blocks to note.
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils:
Brandon Estes is up to 33 points (six goals, 27 assists) in 41 Elite League games and he played a pivotal role as the Cardiff Devils claimed back-to-back, one-goal wins in round 19.
The American scored and provided an assist in a 4-3 win over Manchester and added another assist (in another 4-3 win) against the Guildford Flames.
Ben Lake, Belfast Giants:
I’ve always felt that Ben Lake is criminally underrated.
The 35-year-old has 372 points (150 goals, 222 assists) in 494 Elite League games — but he still somehow slips under the radar.
Capable of playing up and down the line-up, on the wing or through centre ice, and on both sides of a man-advantage, Lake is the ultimate utility player.
And he was at his best against Sheffield, tallying four assists, which includes Friday night’s game-winner.
He finished the weekend plus-six through 31 minutes of total ice time.
Fine wine.
Tyler Hinam, Manchester Storm:
Tyler Hinam has endured a tough opening half of the season.
Sidelined twice by injury, the Canadian has already missed ten regular-season games and is yet to find his usual goal-scoring flow.
But it clicked for Hinam on Friday, with the 26-year-old scoring a hattrick in the Manchester Storm’s 5-1 win over the Glasgow Clan to take his seasonal tally to eight points in 18 games.
After scoring 24 points in 38 games last term, he still has work to do.
Grant Mismash, Coventry Blaze:
Grant Mismash was the difference as the Blaze beat Dundee 5-2 on Saturday.
The American scored a hattrick of primary assists, all at even-strength.
He also scored on the powerplay versus the Glasgow Clan on Sunday, helping the Blaze claim a rare four-point weekend.
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