
There’s plenty to unpack after another frantic round of Elite League play, with four-point performances for the Sheffield Steelers, Manchester Storm, and Dundee Stars.
Sheffield moved from second to fourth in the standings after wins over the Glasgow Clan and Cardiff Devils, with the Nottingham Panthers (who played only once this time out) condemning Cardiff to a pointless weekend as the title race intensifies.
In the three-way battle for the final pair of playoff-paying positions, the Clan lost out – massively. Dundee and Manchester enjoyed rare perfect weekends, with their players earning team of the week plaudits.
Elite League Team of the Week – Sunday, 2 February
Richard Sabol, Netminder – Dundee Stars
Richard Sabol hasn’t had the easiest run of it in the Elite League – his .891 save percentage on the season tells much of the story.
But the Slovak netminder was the difference-maker on Sunday [2 February], making 37 saves on 38 shots to backstop Dundee to a crucial 3-1 win over the league-leading Giants.

Elite League Team of the Week: Richard Sabol, Dundee Stars (Image: Derek Black)
Sabol stopped both of Belfast’s high-danger scoring chances and was a calming presence in key moments, most notably a second period penalty kill with the Stars leading by two.
The 30-year-old was similarly solid the night before, helping Dundee overcome the Guildford Flames in overtime.
Sabol deserves his flowers.
Drydn Dow, Defenceman – Dundee Stars
What I’ve skipped over in the section above is how dialled Dundee’s blueline was versus the Giants – and the Flames to a lesser degree.
The Stars limited Belfast to only two high-danger scoring chances, with the majority of their shots taken from outside the slot.
Dundee’s defence totalled ten blocks on Sunday, with Dryden Dow leading his team in time on ice (insert), recording two assists (including the primary helper on Domenico Alberga’s 53rd-minute back-breaker), and credited with one block.

Elite League Team of the Week: Drydn Dow, Dundee Stars (Image: Derek Black)
Dow also assisted Zachary Tsekos for his overtime winner versus the Flames on Saturday.
That’s team of the week material, undoubtedly.
Dominic Cormier, Defenceman – Sheffield Steelers
Dominic Cormier is one of the Elite League’s premium defensive players – impactful at both ends of the ice, rarely found in the penalty box (average – one minor in every ten appearances), and an all-round positive contributor to Sheffield’s recent success.
The Canadian blueliner had himself a banner weekend, providing the primary assist on Robert Dowd’s opener versus Cardiff, before doubling Sheffield’s advantage just two minutes later.
With the Steelers down by two approaching the end of the second period on Saturday, it was Cormier who put Aaron Fox’s side on the scoreboard, sparking their 5-2 win over Glasgow.
Impressive.
Brandon Whistle, Forward – Sheffield Steelers
Continuing with the same topic, Brandon Whistle completed Sheffield’s Saturday night turnaround, scoring the game-winning goal in the 41st-minute.
The Team Great Britain forward was also excellent in the face-off circler against Cardiff, winning 60 percent of his draws to prevent the Devils from gaining traction in an important top-of-the-table showdown.
Cameron Critchlow, Forward – Manchester Storm
Cameron Critchlow continues to lead the way for the Storm, who now sit just two points behind Glasgow (albeit having played an extra game) in the fight for the eighth (and final) playoff place.
Critchlow scored and provided two assists in Manchester’s 5-2 win over the Coventry Blaze, setting the wheels in motion with a secondary assist on Tyler Hinam’s second-minute opener.
The 33-year-old was also instrumental on Sunday, providing the primary assist to Ryan Hughes for Manchester’s overtime winner against the Clan.
Captain clutch.
Samuel Herr, Forward — Nottingham Panthers
Samuel Herr opened and closed the scoring between the Panthers and Devils, with his brace the difference-maker in Nottingham’s Saturday night win.

Elite League Team of the Week: Samuel Herr, Nottingham Panthers (Image: James Assinder)
The American has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last five appearances.
Let him cook.
Elite League Results — Round 22
Midweek Fixtures
Coventry Blaze 3-6 Guildford Flames
Saturday, 1 February
Manchester Storm 5-2 Coventry Blaze
Glasgow Clan 2-5 Sheffield Steelers
Dundee Stars 4-3 Guildford Flames (OT)
Cardiff Devils 2-3 Nottingham Panthers
Fife Flyers 5-7 Belfast Giants
Sunday, 2 February
Sheffield Steelers 3-0 Cardiff Devils
Glasgow Clan 2-3 Manchester Storm
Dundee Stars 3-1 Belfast Giants
Coventry Blaze 4-2 Fife Flyers
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