EIHL top 6 of the week

By Euan Smith

Who stood out in the EIHL this week?

Netminder: Ben Bowns, Cardiff Devils

Ben Bowns started the week with a game against the Glasgow Clan where he kept a shutout in a 2-0 victory for the Devils. He finished the week with another shutout against the champions-elect against the Sheffield Steelers where they came out 4-0 winners in Cardiff.

Defenceman: Marcus Crawford, Cardiff Devils

Crawford was a standout defenceman for the Devils where he had a goal and an assist against the Flyers on Saturday night in Cardiff. Crawford also played a solid defensive game against the Clan where they kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win where he also picked up an assist on one of the goals. It was then followed up with another solid defensive performance as the Steelers came to Cardiff and were shut out as the Devils came away 4-0 victors against the champions-elect.

 

Defenceman: Kyle Pouncy, Dundee Stars

Pouncy started the week with a 7-4 win against the Panthers where he picked up three assists in the game. Pouncy played well in this game being influential in gaining two points for the Stars in their hunt for a playoff place. While his performance against the Flames wasn’t as game-changing as Dundee came up short in a 3-2 loss on the road in Guildford.

 

Forward: Otto Nieminen, Nottingham Panthers

Nieminen started the week with a standout performance for the Panthers with a hat-trick in their clash with the Stars even though they came up short in the end losing 7-4 in Dundee. He followed up his standout performance with another goal on Saturday against the Steelers where they would lose the game in a shootout in Sheffield.

 

Forward: Jake Elmer, Dundee Stars

Elmer had a great game for the Stars during the game against the Panthers where he would score a goal and pick up three assists in Dundee. Elmer wasn’t the most influential in Guildford as they got beaten 3-2 on the road.

 

Forward: Matt Alvaro, Guildford Flames

Alvaro had an influential game on Wednesday night against the Dundee Stars where they came out 3-2 winners. He would pick up an assist on all the goals for the Flames. Alvaro wasn’t as prolific in the Flames double header in Belfast where he would pick up only one assist over the two games.

 

Honourable mentions:

Netminder: Jackson Whistle, Belfast Giants

Whistle had two great games back-to-back against the Flames where he would only give up two goals throughout the weekend.

 

Defenceman: Jordan Klimek, Guildford Flames

Klimek played a key role in the Flames victory over the Stars on Wednesday, scoring two of the three goals in the 3-2 win in Dundee.

 

Forward: Alessio Luciani, Coventry Blaze

Luciani was a standout for the Blaze as he picked up a hat-trick on Sunday night against the Steelers where they were beaten 7-4 by the league leaders.

SportEuan Smith