I’m going to preface this article with the following:

I’m not a Cardiff fan and nor do I actively root for any one team in the Elite League.
However I have produced articles for the Cardiff Devils, have many friends and acquaintances at the club and for that reason I keep a keen eye on how the Devils are faring during the season.

Therefore it greatly disappointed me when I read the kind of horrible takes and ‘abuse’ that has been hurled in the direction of goaltender Ben Bowns.

It all reeks very strongly of what I like to call ‘what have you done for me lately’ syndrome.

It happens to all championship teams and players, and those involved should not forget this is a Cardiff team who have produced the kind of success that fans could only have dreamed of in the not so distant past.

During the most recent off-season, it was strongly rumoured that Bowns was being touted by clubs across Europe and there was an almost a palpable relief amongst Cardiff fans when Bowns announced he was staying in Wales.

The 27 year old has been an outstanding performer between the pipes during his time in the Elite League and certainly for Team GB, who without Bowns would most likely not be looking forward to top international hockey next year.

In the two seasons spent with Hull, Bowns put up a combined .907 save percentage in 100 games through 2012-13 and 2013-14 for the Stingrays.

During his first year with Cardiff that dipped to .902 but from 2014-2018 registered a combined .914Sv% (rounded up), twice finishing second amongst all goaltenders, last year fourth, but almost always with a heavier workload than his compatriots.

The Rotherham native has arguably been Great Britain’s top and most consistent performer since his introduction to the men’s team.
A combined .927Sv% in four Division 1B campaigns during which he posted .951 the year GB won promotion.
He followed that up with a .919Sv% during the historic Division 1A campaign that led to GB being promoted to the top echelon of World Championship hockey.

But what have you done for me lately, Ben?

Judging by social comments you would imagine that Ben Bowns has totally lost form and is on the downgrade. In fact that’s far from the truth if you take his body of work as a whole.

I think even Ben would confess that his performances in the Champions League were below what he would expect of himself but during league action his number are only a fraction below what he’s been posting during the Devils recent success (down to .908).
That’s still good for top five in the EIHL (also fourth best in GAA) and some want to release Ben Bowns from his contract or drop him? You must be joking.

The hardest aspect of professional sport, personally or as a team, is reaching the pinnacle.
This is in fact incorrect.

The hardest aspect is staying at the pinnacle when you’ve attained those heights, as Cardiff Devils are finding out this season.
You’re there to be shot at, as every opponent invariably raises their level and a whole lot more research and work is put in place to plan how to knock you off the perch.

The Elite League is certainly stronger than it’s ever been in terms of player quality and many teams have recruited extremely well.
With only three teams currently holding a points percentage under .500 at the time of writing, the standard is certainly at a more level playing field as Milton Keynes Lightening have proven.

There is no such thing as a cakewalk in professional sport and championships are not given away.