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Elite League Team of the Week — Steelers’ Cormier impresses, Stars’ Sabol takes the net — Round 22

Samuel Herr, Nottingham Panthers (Image: James Assinder)

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.

Richard Sabol, Dundee Stars (Image: Derek Black)

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.

Drydn Dow, Dundee Stars (Image: Derek Black)

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.

Samuel Herr, Nottingham Panthers (Image: James Assinder)

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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