Until further notice, we should expect the unexpected when it comes to the Elite League.
While the Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants — last season’s trophy-winners — stumbled, the Manchester Storm and Cardiff Devils recorded perfect weekends (despite both starting the season inconsistently).
Following a flurry of hattricks and shutouts, let’s dive into our gameweek five Team of the Week.
Elite League Team of the Week: Sunday, 12 October
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm (Image: Al Goold)
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm
Drew DeRidder produced a 42-save shutout to stymie the Glasgow Clan on Friday [10 October].
The American made a handful of crucial stops, denying 3.41 goals above expected, including two high-danger scoring chances from the low slot.
Manchester take confidence from DeRidder whenever the net is his — a helpful fact as he battles Evan Wenninger for control of the crease.
The 25-year-old is on a heater, stopping 190 of the 199 shots he’s faced in his last five appearances.
If the Storm are to stick in the playoff chase, they’ll need DeRidder to maintain his hot start to the year.
Jamal Watson, Guildford Flames
It was only a matter of time before Jamal Watson would claim his place in our Team of the Week.
The smooth-skating, offensive defenceman scored a hattrick in the Guildford Flames’ 7-2 win over the Fife Flyers on Saturday [11 October], playing in all situations for Paul Dixson’s side.
Watson still has work to do — he hasn’t picked up where he left off offensively and the Flames have started the season gingerly — but he remains one to watch in the weeks ahead.
Darien Kielb, Glasgow Clan
The Glasgow Clan remain one of the Elite League’s most confusing teams.
Corey Neilson’s side play like title contenders or bottom-feeders, with little in-between.
After a heavy loss on Friday, the Clan responded with an overtime victory versus the Belfast Giants a day later.
Darien Kielb scored the overtime winner and has shown promise since re-joining the team three weeks into the season.
Loren Ulett, Manchester Storm
Loren Ulett’s offensive production speaks for itself: one goal (in a 4-0 win over Glasgow) and three assists (in a 4-3 win over the Dundee Stars) on a four-point weekend for Manchester.
The Canadian has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 11 games to start the season.
Ryan Barrow, Cardiff Devils
Ryan Barrow, Cardiff Devils (Image: Panthers Images)
Until this weekend, the Cardiff Devils hadn’t lived up to Paul Thompson’s expectations.
Inconsistency plagued Cardiff’s start to the campaign, with individual mistakes pulling the Devils down in key moments.
But Thompson’s worries might just be in the rearview mirror after gameweek five saw his team take four points from four.
Ryan Barrow played a crucial role in the Devils’ comeback win over the Nottingham Panthers on Sunday [12 October], netting the game-tying and game-winning goals.
He also registered an assist in Cardiff’s 3-0 win over the Coventry Blaze on Saturday.
Clifford Pu, Sheffield Steelers
Clifford Pu, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Scott Wiggins)
Clifford Pu’s breakout moment finally arrived on Sunday.
The 27-year-old (who was held to just five points in his first nine Elite League appearances) scored a hattrick as the Sheffield Steelers took down the Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
Centring Aaron Fox’s first line, Pu is starting to find chemistry alongside Stephen Harper and Mitchell Balmas — a much needed development for the player and his team.
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