Kingdom of the Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views

Holy Moly

KotG — 2010-02-27T08:00:00+01:00

For the first time in the history of the Giants organisation, a game has had to be abandoned during play. And it happened at the Odyssey, not at the Dundonald Ice Bowl with its allegedly awful ice surface!

With just over 3 minutes of play left in the second period, the ref told both teams to head to the dressing rooms for an early period break after a massive chunk of ice shifted just in front of the away goalies crease causing a large divot, along with several other smaller yet deep holes. After fifteen minutes of non-stop working at the ice, the players came out and had another shot at finishing the period, but as the clock ran down and Giants goaltender Stephen Murphy iced the puck with only 2.2 seconds left, the Ref once again called a halt to proceedings.

The Giants/Odyssey staff worked hard to get the hole level and frozen over in time for the game to continue, but after 30 minutes of waiting, the Ref consulted with both coaches and the game was abandoned.

Giants GM Todd Kelman told fans to check on the official Giants website for updates regarding the fixture and result.

What A Difference A Week Makes.

KotG — 2010-02-03T08:00:00+01:00

Just one weekend ago, the Belfast Giants suffered what many would call the single worst defeat in their history the night after losing an away game to bottom feeders Hull Stingrays. Less than one week later, the table topping Nottingham Panthers skated into town for a Friday/Saturday double header, accompanied by in excess of 500 fans.

Those away fans, accompanied on Friday night by many primary school kids from across Northern Ireland had the Odyssey buzzing long before face off. How would the Giants respond to the pressure? In a week when the team had been pushed hard by �embarrassed� coach Steve Thornton, could the team bounce back from the previous weekend�s double defeat?

The Giants came out of the gate hard on Friday and had some early pressure before the Panthers grew into the game. Despite this, a poor giveaway gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with only 6 seconds remaining in period 1.The highly under-rated Michael Jacobsen tied it up for Belfast, scoring on a powerplay won by Sean McMorrow. The Panthers quickly regained the lead however before Pierre-Luc Faubert continues his renaissance snapping the puck home to tie the game once more at 2-2.

Into the third period and as the physical play continued to pick up with slashes and roughing behind the play, Jeff Szwez stepped up, showing his class as a big game player to notch the Giants 3rd goal on a powerplay, despite the Giants having wasted the 5 on 3 part of the advantage as Corey Neilsen returned to the ice. As the game reached its conclusion Pat Bateman tucked the puck into an empty net, giving the Giants a 4-2 lead and bringing the already standing Odyssey crowd to even higher levels of joy. There was still time however for Tim Cook to grapple with Panther Richardson, the gloves coming off, but only roughing penalties being handed out. Would this needle carry over into the next night?

Saturday night got off to a great start as George Awada put the Giants 1-0 up early on, smuggling the puck home over Kevin St-Pierre in the Panthers goal only a minute into the contest. The early lead got the crowd going once more, who were once again highly vocal despite the best efforts of the Odyssey Fun Police. The lead was short lived as McMorrow took an interference call and within 20 seconds of the powerplay the Panthers were level.

Some great play by Jeff Szwez helped the Giants regain the lead as the first period approached an end. Great control of the puck allowed him to wait while other players cleared the zone to negate offside, Szwez skated in, dropped the puck off to Colin Shields who blasted it from the circle past St-Pierre, who might be disappointed to let this one in from such a tight angle.

Not wishing to make things easy for themselves the Giants ran into penalty trouble, but with Shields and Faubert both in the box for hooking, the Giants managed to kill of a 5 on 3 and the momentum definitely began to shift their way. This momentum shift was proven as Pat Bateman found himself all alone with only St-Pierre to beat, which he did with ease putting the Giants 3-1 up at 36 minutes.

The Panthers frustrations began to grow and with the afters from the night before carrying over, as the 2nd period ended all players from both teams were on the ice and words were exchanged in a large scrum with McMorrow and Awada for the Giants and Levers and Richardson for the Panthers in particular showing their dislike of eachother.

This niggle carried into the third period, and despite there being no further scoring, it was difficult to take one�s eyes off the action. Shane Johnson, who was back to his annoying, irritating, pestering best was sent to the box along with Panther Danny Meyers for cross checking. But things finally blew up in front of the Giants net as Kevin Phillips was challenged by Jade Galbraith of the Panthers. At first it looked like Phillips would be happy just to hold on, but he came back with a massive right that knocked Galbraith�s helmet flying into the air and by the end Galbraith was the one hanging on. Once more the Odyssey crowd were on their feet cheering as Phillips went to the box.

A couple of late penalties were killed off with relative ease as time wore down and the last 2 minutes were played out to singing and dancing in the stands. Szwez had a chance at an empty net but his shot was blocked, while Shields shot whistled just wide from the neutral zone, but that was not important as the Giants claimed a 4 point weekend and gave notice that they weren�t as bad a side as had been seen the previous Sunday.

Man of the weekend was undoubtedly netminder Stepehn Murphy who kept the Panthers at bay all weekend, soaking up early pressure on Friday night allowing the Giants the chance to overturn two deficits and win, making 36 saves on 38 shots. Murphy bettered this on Saturday allowing only one goal, again on 38 shots, a truly fantastic performance.

Echoing the thoughts published by Todd Kelman, thanks to all the Panthers fans for coming over and contributing to what was a superb atmosphere and a reminder of what things could be like in a packed Odyssey Arena. Thanks also for taking home no points. Let�s hope this double-header idea can continue in future seasons.

Believe?

KotG — 2010-01-26T08:00:00+01:00

Well the dust has settled on a truly horrific night in the Odyssey Arena, and who would have thought it, but 24 hours later we're all still alive! That would have seemed far fetched at 10 pm last night when hundreds of angry Kingdomites were having their doctors fill out cyanide prescriptions. Even coach Thornton was dumbfounded as he described the aftermath of the 6-5 penalty shot loss to Newcastle as "most embarrassed I've ever been in my pro career". It was refreshing to see a coach face the cameras and not reel off a litany of well rehearsed excuses and instead tell it like it was. Thornton was obviously concerned for his own position as head coach and threatened big changes in the coming weeks. It is for precisely this reason that he should be given time to sort out a squad that has so much potential and yet has flattered to deceive for the first half of the EIHL season.

This season has been as confusing as last season was frustrating, with great wins like mid-January's 9-0 humping of Edinburgh interspersed with cringe-worthy loses like Saturday's 3-2 road loss to Hull. All this has facilitated the Giants failure to capitalise on Coventry's mid-season blip, which has seen them lose to Edinburgh twice and Nottingham in the space of ten days.

The fans' frustrations are easy to appreciate. Whilst Coach Thornton has put together a roster with the potential to bring home the Monteith Bowl for only a second time in the club's history, championship-level performances have been few and far between. Perhaps what is most frustrating is that the problems appear to be entirely self-evident, with the powerplay the most obvious cause for concern. Although the statistics on the one-man advantage have improved drastically over the last two weeks, this does not tell the full story of system which puts more emphasis on creating space than actually shooting at the net. While the Giants' tend to dominate possession of the puck and keep the opposition pinned down while they are a man up, the main shooting opportunities are falling to defensive players positioned at the point of the attack. The puck also tends to stay in a central position, between each face-off circle. As a result, the opposition's defense is rarely stretched wide enough to create real open-ice shooting chances. If the puck was worked from side-to-side it would surely create more cracks in the opposition defense. It is up to Coach Thornton and his team to reconstruct the powerplay tactics in a way that makes things harder for the defense.

Almost of equal importance is the number of short-handed goals given up while the Giants are supposed to be doing damage at the other end of the ice. Short-handed goals have cost the team dearly in the last seven days, with Cardiff (Challenge Cup), Hull and Newcastle (EIHL) all helping themselves to crucial scores. While it would be improper to suggest that the only reason for our recent demises have been the inability of our attack to function, it is true that conceeding from a position of significant advantage has helped the team lose out on a place in the Challenge Cup Final, as well as two league points this weekend. Coach Thornton must address these issues in order for the team to progress in the last third of the season.

Although many fans have instinctively called for changes following last night's embarassing reversal, it would be prudent to consider the facts before jumping to conclusions. Coach Thornton knows that things need changing. He has acknowledged as much, and now he must deliver. Thornton was a great hockey player and is a coach with great potential. His scouting system is second to none in the Elite League and the players that he has put in teal and white have, for the most part, seen their personal stars rise as a result of his faith in them. That is surely the case with a number of Giants players on the current roster Colin Shields, Craig Peacock, Pat Bateman and Steven Murphy to name but four who have shone this year. However, great scouting does not automatically translate into great results, and now Coach Thornton must show his resolve to make great players into a great team. Few would argue that the class and skill is already there, and now the team must develop the intagible elements that are needed to win trophies. There would be no better place to start than taking four points from the Nottingham Panthers this weekend when the Midlands outfit arrive for what is surely a do or die series for the Giants. Two victories would see the Giants close within two points of the Elite League leaders, with two games in hand.

As a player, Coach Thornton thrived under pressure and now in the Land of the Giants, the fans must believe he can do the same as a coach.

Review of the Decade... Part Two.

KotG — 2010-01-06T08:00:00+01:00

Last week we looked at the first half of the decade, this week we move on to the second half, before concluding with my Giant of the decade top 3. Reviews always have to have lists, don�t they?

Coming into season 6 of the Giants existence yet another coaching change occurred as Tony Hand departed and Ed Courtenay, a former Sheffield Steeler and Ayr Eagle, was appointed as player-coach. However this was not the biggest story of the off season. As the start of the year approached rumours that some guy called Theo Fleury was going to sign began circulating. The majority laughed, but, due to his links with then Giants owner Jim Yaworski, it was true � Theo was to become a Giant.

However we were made to wait for the excitement as Theo was unable to arrive until the season was already underway. This led to what felt like a phoney war as all the anticipation of Theo�s debut built. The team however dealt with it well putting up 5 wins in those first 9 games including a short cameo by Matt Reid who scored 4 goals in 7 games keeping Fleury�s skates warm. The main drama of this early season however was goaltender injuries. New started Mike Minard hurt himself leaving back up Chris McGimpsey to fill in, however he too was hurt while celebrating on the bench and a last minute replacement was found in Nathan Craze. Craze backstopped the team to some crucial victories and began an association with the team which continues today to a very successful level. Jason Ruff also returned for a third season as a Giant before leaving half way through the year due to injury. Scottish forward Colin Shields, only the second British player ever to be drafted, was attracted back across the Atlantic and played an integral role in pushing the Giants towards the title.

The Edinburgh Capitals were the visitors to the O on October 15th 2005 as an overweight and unfit Theo Fleury laced up for the first time. During the summer, I recall saying to people I would believe Fleury was coming to play for us when he skated out onto the ice. 3 goals, including one with his second touch after he won a face-off on the second shift of the game, 4 assists, and a fight with Caps tough guy Oduya and I was beginning to believe!

The main story of the season was clearly Fleury. He was the talk of the league for reasons both good and bad. He racked up points at an astonishing level averaging over 2 points per game, and found particular delight in setting up team mates. In a game against Basingstoke as the Giants began to lose their grip on a league title that should surely have been theirs, Fleury skated to centre ice, raising his arms to pump up the crowd inspiring the team to a 6-4 win.

The rivalry with Coventry continued to grow as reports of abuse from fans towards Theo in relation to his past came through, and Theo�s displeasure at the standard of officiating in the league was announced vociferously on several occasions.

The Giants first Elite League title, and second ever British league title came down to a game against Cardiff, the chance to claim a title on home ice. It wasn�t to be, and in a scene that would have made original Giants coach Dave Whistle proud, Ed Courtenay showered the ice with sticks from the bench as the Giants failed to pick up the win before lobbing his gloves out from the changing room resulting in a ban. The title was eventually claimed as nearest challengers Coventry lost in Edinburgh, a somewhat underwhelming finish. The now traditional end of season meltdown was somewhat overturned as the Giants made it to the finals weekend. However, a poor performance in the semi final saw the Newcastle Vipers progress to the final and Giants fans interest end on Saturday.

For season 7 in 2006/7, player-coach Ed Courtenay gave up playing and several changes were made, as attempts to replace Fleury were carried out. Long time Steeler Mark Dutiaume came in to centre the top line, and big scoring Jeff Hutchins arrived from rivals Coventry Blaze. Returning for a 4th season was Jason Ruff after his injury problems of the previous year.

It was to be another tough battle with the Coventry Blaze, with former Blaze man Hutchins scoring a hat trick to beat the Blaze 3-0 in one of the highlights of the year. Sadly consistency was a problem and such results were not frequent enough. Injury problems led to the replacement of Mike Minard with Phil DeRouville. Added to this, a loss of team form led Courtenay to come out of retirement, at the expense of Curtis Huppe, but it was too little too late and once more the Giants were runners up the Blaze leaving it just a little too late to catch up.

The playoffs saw a new format for this year, with the top 8 from the league going into 2 legged quarter finals. Belfast drew Basingstoke and the games were played over consecutive nights. For a second successive season Belfast made it to the final four and with each quarter final still being open in the second leg, many called the new format a success.

The Giants faced Nottingham in the semi final, in a game of few chances it ended 1-1 and after OT went to a shootout, which the Giants managed to lose, once more going home at the semi final stage. This left a final of Nottingham v Cardiff who defeated Coventry in the other semi final. The final ended in a draw with the Panthers winning again on penalty shots and thus claiming the playoff title by virtue of winning 3 penalty shootouts as their quarter final had also ended in stalemate against Sheffield.

Ed Courtenay returned for a third season as coach in 2007/8, intending to play from the start. DeRouville was kept on after his hot form had led to a league chasing charge the previous year, and several other changes were made. The Giants played Swedish side Huddinge in Dundalk, a precursor to playing some league games here due to lack of ice time in the Odyssey, a move that was highly controversial among much of the fan base. Todd Kelman now in charge as the full time GM not only had to deal with this fan fallout but also suited up for several games as injury cover early in the year.

The year started disastrously, with DeRouville struggling to find the form of the previous year, and some of the new signings seeming to struggle. The poor start had the Giants bottom of the table and no sign of where a win would come from could be seen. Fortunately for the Giants, Basingstoke hit trouble and, due to being unable to pay players, Stevie Lyle the British goalie, and Pete Campbell became available. Ryan Smith, despite putting up points had not impressed and was released, former Storm player Neumeier was also ditched and DeRouville was shown the door to make way for Lyle.

These changes did the trick and after a franchise record 16 game win streak, the Giants had moved from bottom to top of the league occupying every spot in the table on their run. Pete Campbell was a gold nugget as he notched up 39 goals in just 47 games after his move playing on a highly effective line with coach Courtenay who led the team in points. This was to be Courtenay�s last year in charge, and despite his prowess as a player, questions always remained over his coaching ability. After the ups and downs, the Giants finished 4th, their lowest place since the year after the demise of the ISL and the associated financial difficulties/

In the playoff, the Giants drew the Newcastle Vipers, and in a disastrous performance in Dundalk went into the second leg 5-3 down. A stirring fight back the following night led to a 3-1 win, but with OT unable to separate the sides, once more the Giants succumbed in a shootout leaving the fans to look forward to a stress free weekend at the finals weekend with no team to support once more!

The final full season of the decade, Season 9 began with another change of coach with Steve Thornton, who had been instrumental in the Giants playoff winning side when he came in mid season, returning as yet another player coach. The change of coach and disappointment of the previous year saw many changes in playing personnel. The season began in Dundalk, but only friendly games would be played there as Dundonald Ice Bowl stepped up when required.

Stevie Lyle returned for a second season in goal while his Welsh compatriot, Nathan Craze, returned in as his back up. The defence was overhauled and saw high scoring Mike Burgoyne arrive to add punch from the blueline, something the previous year had lacked. Strong impacts were made from Andrew Martin who scored a hat trick on debut, but his season, like the season in general was to be blighted by injury. Other big name signings Bobby Robins, a tough power forward, and Paul Deniset were both to miss significant game time. Colin Shields returned full time and led the team in scoring, but Paul Deniset was the main man. He achieved a unique feat scoring 3 hat tricks in 3 games in Manchester on his way to 38 goals on the season. The season couldn't pass without controversy and this came about in the form of one of the injury replacements. The highly skilled players were replaced by Jason Rushton in a move which once more invited debate. Rushton was clearly a good player in the past, but seemed to be brought in for only one reason, and spent many a game trying to wind up and fight the opposition. He did however, claim one important game winning goal and entertain many of the Odyssey faithful!

The Sheffield Steelers followed up their playoff winning season of the year before by running away with the league. The Giants once more failed in the playoffs. But this was not to be a season of disappointment. The Challenge Cup, a competition in which the Giants had a poor history, was claimed with a win in the 2 legged final over Manchester Phoenix, the home leg being played in Dundonald to a packed crowd. Manchester also provided the opposition for the Knock Out Cup - a competition the Giants had failed to play in the previous 2 years, and once more the team came away with the silverware adding two trophies to the cabinet and ending the decade on somewhat of a high.

Let�s hope it�s the first of many!

Aaron�s Giants of the Decade

1 � Todd Kelman, player, point scorer, championship winner and GM. My Giant of the decade.

2- Paxton Schulte, the man who helped put the franchise on the map, he is still the first a lot of non Giants fans ask about.

3 � Rob Stewart, a superb player, a coach who took over and led through a tough spot after financial difficulties and still to be found as an assistant coach and bench coach, along with coaching the juniors who may end up on the roster in years to come.

Review of the decade... Part One.

KotG — 2009-12-31T08:00:00+01:00

So as the year 2009 draws to a close and the clock gets ready to tick over to 2010 and a fresh new decade, it is scary to think back and wonder where the time has gone. Just ten short years ago the fear was of the millenium bug, computers crashing, bank records being lost and a fear of meltdown.

How trivial these things are now that we have the Giants to worry about instead. Part of those Millenium celebrations ten years ago were, of course, Belfast's Millenium project - the Odyssey Arena, the likes of which Belfast had never seen before. As an anchor tenant, the Belfast Giants ice hockey team was to come into existence and play in the UK's Ice Hockey Superleague containing teams from all over the islands.

Some of us were encouraged along by curiosity - what is this new sport? What does this new shiny arena look like inside? Tickets were nigh on impossible to lay hands on. For me, I believe it was the second ever home game in the Odyssey was my first. My lasting impression being not of the hits, but the speed and skill of the skating and the fact these guys could fall over and regain their footing in the blink of an eye.

Season 2 was where it really all began for me. I'd been to a couple of games in the first year, but with shift work and the difficulty of getting tickets, it wasn't as easy for me to go. But who can forget that season 2 team? Berlin came to visit for a pre season Ice Cup tournament, beginning a relationship between the fans that continues today and starting the tradition of the drummers along with the naming of "Berlin Corner" in the O. The league started with a humping at home by London, a result of 3-9 which still stands as the Giants' worst loss. At the end of that game did we ever see how things would go? The Ruff, Riehl, Berens line tearing up the league which was all but over by Christmas and finally a 2-2 draw in Bracknell on January 19th 2002 saw Belfast claim its first league championship.

Such success, despite a damp end to the season meant many players left getting offers to go to bigger leagues in Continental Europe - Jason Ruff heading to Germany, Berens to Switzerland for example. Season 3 was difficult. Financial problems around the league saw both Ayr and Manchester Storm fold mid season. The somber atmosphere in the O as the Storm played out what was their last game is hard to forget for those who were there. This left just five teams in the ISL, and after a poor start, the Giants were to finish second, just 1 point behind Sheffield.

The kick start to the campaign was easily the Giants participation, as ISL champions, in the European Continental Cup. The qualifying round was held in the Odyssey with Valerenga, Rouen and EC Linz as the other competitiors. The Giants picked up wins on the Friday and Saturday night, including 3-0 and 8-0 shut out wins with the back up goalie Colin Ryder in top form, form he carried into what was the decider against Austrian side Linz Black Wings. A thoroughly tense game ended with the Giants winning 5-3 and qualifying for the finals! This meant a trip to Lugano - a trip considered by many to be a highlight of their Giants supporting careers! An opening game loss was followed up by a fantastic win over HC Davos with starter Ryan Bach on top form. A loss to Bratislava, this time in Milan was a let down, but failed to dampen what was a superb trip. This momentum continued and the Giants made it to the playoff finals weekend for the first time. Due to the shrinking of the league, the playiff format was elongated and this seemed to suit the Giants.

An epic goal tending battle in the semi final against Sheffield ended with a 0-0 draw after over time, and went to the dreaded penalty shots. In skated Kevin Riehl and up popped the waterbottle sending the Giants to a final against the London Knights. Shane Johnson was the hero of the final, potting 2 goals and Dave Matsos hit the empty net to seal it as the London Knights went down 5-3, adding a 2nd championship in just 3 seasons of Giants hockey.

From such a high, little did we know how close the lows were.. Reports of financial trouble with the Giants hit the front pages of the local papers. Would there even be a season 4? The ISL collapsed also, and the Elite League was born with restriction in import players and a much lower salary cap. London Knights disappeared and were replaced by a new team in London, the Racers. Bracknell went to the British National League, while Cardiff Devils returned to the top league, and Coventry and Basingstoke joined them. Many were happy to see the Giants ice a team at all, and despite the financial trouble, early signs were competitive including a then record 10-4 away win at Basingstoke where local lad Chris McGimpsey made his first appearance in goal. Other local lads Mark Morrison, Gareth Martin and Graeme Walton were on full time contracts for the first time. Successful coach Dave Whislte moved to Germany and was replaced by player coach Rob Stewart.

Despite a strong start, form fell off and a 4th place finish and failure to make the playoffs was all the Giants could manage. The end of this season was notable however for other reasons - long time Giants Colin Ward and Paxton Schulte decided to retire. Both had joined the team from the beginning and had given their all. Schulte was seen by many as the face of the franchise, and despite a poor final season, was missed by many and has arguably never been replaced.

Season 5 saw Tony Hand, a legend of British ice hockey, replace Rob Stewart as player coach. Once more the Giants put in a strong push for the title with a vastly new squad due to the retirements the season before. Other notable signings were goalie Martin Klempa and DMan Roman Gavalier along with forward Fredrik Nasvall, the first non North American import signings adding a more cosmopolitan feel to the side. An attempt to replace Schulte was made witht he signing of minor league tough guy Mel Angelstad. This was the season of the NHL lockout, with other clubs in the EIHL managing to pick up some current NHL players. One of these was Eric Cairns who went to London, and at centre ice Belfast's fight fans were treated to an NHL caliber bout as Angelstad and Cairns went toe to toe in a memorable battle. In the same game, Scott Nichol was taught a lesson by a young kid from Milton Keynes as Leigh Jamieson sent him to the changing room with a beautiful shiner.

The league title almost came down to the final weekend and a potential double header at home to Coventry to fight for the title. However the Blaze claimed the title due to consistent success in their home rink and the O over the Giants and it was just too much for the Giants to do in the end. The now traditional end of season flop continued as, once more, the fans flew to Nottingham for playoffs without a team to support...

Hopefully this review has rekindled some find memories, tune in shortly for part 2 of the review of the decade including Theo, more titles, and more controversy!

�To Be The Man, You Gotta Beat The Man�

KotG — 2009-12-21T08:00:00+01:00

The following match preview article was unfortunately omitted from Saturday nights Top Shelf magazine. Written by Davy McGimpsey, we believed it was such a well written piece it deserved publication somewhere. So we are delighted to being it to you, despite the outcome of the weekends games. Enjoy

When it comes to British Ice Hockey, that is the mantra required when speaking about Coventry Blaze head coach Paul Thompson.

Since �Thommo� brought the Blaze into the new Elite league following the collapse of the Superleague in 2003-04, he has set the benchmark were success is judged. Placed third in the inaugural season, Coventry have gone on to win three out of the five championships available, finishing second twice. Simply put, �To win the Elite League, you need to finish above Paul Thompson�.

Back in 1994 the story was the same, �Paul Thompson, League Winning Head Coach�. This title didn�t bring with it the kudos enjoyed for lifting the top pieces of silverware available now, but for the Solihull Under 14�s kids and their coach it meant just as much.

Injury had robbed Thompson at an early age of his dream of playing out a long professional career in the sport he loved, but he had bitten by the hockey bug. After cutting his teeth in coaching with the kids he moved on to the Solihull �B� team, �The Knights�. His first decision, a very unpopular one at the time, was to ban smoking on the team bus, an attempt to do things his way, to be more professional, this was no longer a jolly boys outing, this was about winning, and winning the Paul Thompson way.

The Solihull ownership liked what they saw from the 27 year old and in November of 1995 they asked him to take on the Solihull �A� team, the Barons. Rock bottom of the British Ice Hockey League Division One, leaderless, unprofessional and carrying a bad attitude.

It took a month to get his first victory against Billingham but this still wasn�t his team, he hadn�t put it together, he needed the chance to recruit his own roster, to do things his way, with his own people.

That chance came the following summer during the dawn of a hockey revolution that was to become the Superleague. With finances and franchises pouring into the game Solihull decided to chase the dream. The plan was to spend a year building a good team, then move to the NEC and the Superleague for the 1997 season. Thompson was given a good budget and signed a team based on it, but despite keeping his end of the bargain and challenging for honors the money never came and sadly the inevitable happened, the club went bust.

But out of despair comes hope, and following the setup of a new company, the Blaze rose again like a phoenix from the ashes, they would live to fight another day. Consolidation was the key and they re-entered hockey in the English League, Division One. However after playing in front of big crowds in the past, some players found it difficult to readjust in the lower leagues and Thompson found himself looking for new blood. Undeterred, he did just that, and with five of the six trophies available over the next two seasons in the Blaze trophy cabinet it was time to take the step back up to the next level.

A Playoff semi final defeat to Fife the following spring was the highlight of a season for the emerging midlands club, but the off season was when the real watershed began. Solihull council sold the rink for development at the same time as the Skydome was being built in Coventry. The management rights of the Arena were sold to Planet Ice, owners of the Basingstoke Bison and they were looking for a team to ice in the �Dome�.

It was a new millennium, it was the year 2000, and the Coventry Blaze were born.

Now in their tenth season, their history has been littered with success. Three Elite League titles, two Challenge Cups, one Knock-Out Cup and one Playoff success. Currently riding high at the top end of the table, Thommo is still the man to beat.

Twenty six year old Russ Cowley has seen it all. Currently one of the blue chip British forwards in the league knows the coach better than most. On those cold winter nights back in 1994 Cowley was on that Solihull Under 14 Championship side. Thompson signed him to the Blaze in 2001 and he has iced over 250 times for the club. A season exiled in Cardiff provided the wake up call needed and since his return to Coventry his stock has risen considerably.

At the other end of the ice is 32 year old Jonathan Weaver is the rock the Blaze is built upon. His stellar start to the season has seen him rewarded with a contract extension that will see him continue with the Blaze until at least the 2011/12 season.

The hard shooting defenseman has 34 points from 27 games this season and looks a shoe-in for a fifth consecutive Alan Weeks Trophy, awarded annually to the Best British D Man. Only the great Steve Cooper, a British Ice Hockey Hall of Famer has more, with a total of nine.

Tonight�s game is the first in a home and home pre-Christmas spectacular series, Whoever comes out on top will almost certainly enjoy their turkey dinner from the comfort of the top of the table.

It�s the 46th meeting between the two clubs, Coventry currently hold the upper hand with 18 wins in regulation to the LBM Belfast Giants 14. Can we put one over the enemy?

Let�s hope Santa is a Giant�..

Giants up for the Cup as Finnerty joins Cardiff

KotG — 2009-12-15T08:00:00+01:00

In a bid to retain the Challenge Cup the Belfast Giants travel to Cardiff on Wednesday for the first leg of the semi final which could see them face either Nottingham Panthers or the Sheffield Steelers in the final come February/March.

The Challenge Cup has been a trophy the Giants have �opted out� of in the past. However last season Coach Steve Thornton and General Manager Todd Kelman spoke many times of their target to win �all competitions available�. A 50% achievement was met on this target, the Giants picking up the Knock Out Cup and the Challenge Cup for the first time in the clubs history.

The Giants qualified for this years semi finals by virtue of topping Group A, scoring 30 goals in the process and achieving a goal difference of +13, both totals greater than any other team in the competition. Only a 5-4 loss at the Sheffield Arena and a 2-2 tie in the Odyssey against the Newcastle Vipers kept Belfast from a 100% record in the competition.

Cardiff qualified second in Group B. Gerad Adams� side�s 4 group wins were punctuated by home and away victories over the Coventry Blaze, knocking the Blaze out of the competition.

Belfast travel to Cardiff Bay Ice Rink holding a 3-1 record over the Welsh side, Cardiff�s only victory coming in overtime in South Wales. However both league meetings in the Welsh Capital have required overtime, with the Giants only victory coming by way of penalty shots.

�At time of print� the potential participation in this leg of the Devils talismanic captain, Brad Voth, is in doubt following Saturdays game against the Coventry Blaze. Voth and Blaze�s Derek Campbell were involved in an altercation which saw Referee Matt Thompson award the each player a Match penalty. This sentence carries a one game suspension, Campbell serving his in the Blaze�s home loss to the Sheffield Steelers on Sunday evening. However it is believed Voth�s may be put to appeal prior to Wednesday nights game giving the Cardiff side hope of a reprieve.

Update: Brad Voth's Match penalty has been revoked. He will take to the ice in the game

Wednesday night will also see Ryan Finnerty make his Cardiff Devils debut. The former Sheffield Steelers forward lines out in red and black to be supported by fans who held him as �Public Enemy Number 1� only one season ago. Finnerty was involved in an on-ice t�te-�-t�te with Jay Latullipe which carried on in the press and developed into alleged ugly scenes post-game at Cardiff. With Finnerty now a part of the Devils the reaction of the crowd to their new acquisition will be one of interest to those on lookers who recall the furore of last term. While Coach Adams will be hoping that Finnerty can bring the grit and agitation that were so part of his success in South Yorkshire.

In other team news from Cardiff, Wes Jarvis is a day-to-day doubt with an upper body injury. While young Brits Ben Davies and Jaimie Hayes are on U20 international duty in Hungary.

The Belfast Giants come into Wednesday�s game off a very successful weekend that saw them rise to the summit of the Elite League. A thumping win over the Newcastle Vipers had the Giants putting 11 goals in the Tyneside teams net. While a gritty win in Edinburgh on Sunday combined with Coventry�s loss to Sheffield saw the Giants finish the weekend on top.

An achievement made all the more impressive as the Giants have not been without injuries. Shane Johnson, Graeme Walton and Nathan Craze all joined Pierre-Luc Faubert and George Awada on the physio�s table for the weekend, the three latest additions may also be unavailable for Wednesday nights clash.

Wednesday is the first leg of a two legged semi-final that concludes on January 20th in Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Ticket information for this second leg is available on the Giants Official Website.

The UKHL/KotG team will be providing live text coverage from Cardiff on Wednesday night. Join Patrick and Marty either by going to UKHL or visiting the KotG Live page. Coverage begins at 7.15pm.

Under The Radar

KotG — 2009-10-13T07:00:00+01:00

We are now ten games into the Giants 09/10 season. Our *cough* tenth year anniversary, if you're to believe the Giant's patch. This season has had a mix of league results, a 3rd place in the Gardiner Cup and a go at retaining the Challenge Cup. KotG discussion has mainly centred on our new sheriff, Sean McMorrow and the seemingly impotent scoring of our new forwards. Some of what is being talked about I agree with some I don't, but I'd like to steer the debate closer to between our posts.

Stephen Murphy came to us from Manchester Phoenix and faced us more than any other netminder last year. Obviously impressing Stevie Thornton and the Giant's Organisation enough to come over to this side of the Irish Sea to ply his trade this season. Unfortunately due to injury he was dubious to start the season and many were wondering who would face the Nottingham Panthers in our away opener. I attended that very game and had the impression that he was possibly suffering from his off season injury and maybe a lack of proper pre season training. Alas we started this season with a defeat at the hands of Nottingham in a 4-1 defeat.

Murphy was rested as our back for a few games as Craze took his place as our starting nettie. For any other net minder this may have discouraged or frustrated them but may have been a necessity. I say this because in recent home games, especially since the Gardiner Cup, he has impressed me. Impressed me so much that I felt compelled to write this rambling few paragraphs on it. For his small stature "Smurf" has established himself as a quick, agile nettie who has been helping to give our forwards chances to win. For the seasons with Lyle I had always felt we had a competent, non-flashy keeper who gave me heart stopping moments when he left the crease. With young Murphy this cardiac ceasing feeling isn't prevalent and putting the season opener out of mind I have a growing confidence for our starter. While KotG is busy with debates of enforcers and forward's insufficiency in front of oppositions goal, it is nice to have a certain quiet regarding our new net minder. He must be doing okay if that's the case.

Awada out, Robins in.

KotG — 2009-10-07T07:00:00+01:00

Belfast Giants Captain, George Awada, has been ruled out for the season with a torn rotator cuff. The injury requires an operation, with medical staff expecting a 5-6 month recovery time. Awada is the all-time leading scorer for the Giants and the longest serving captain. Coach Steve Thornton said:

�Losing George is a big blow. He is the leader of this team and comes to play every single night. He is always the spark when the team needs to get going and his work ethic and commitment will be sorely missed. You don�t replace a George Awada. You replace his spot on the team, but you cannot find someone with his combination of skill, hard work and integrity on and off the ice.�

The Giants have also announced today the re-signing of Bobby Robins. Robins had signed for Rodovre in Denmark along with ex-Giant Paul Deniset, but following financial troubles the team couldn�t honour their contracts. Deniset then signed for Jody Lehman�s Aalborg, but Robins was left without a team allowing Coach Thornton to make an approach.

�Bobby was such a big key to our success a year ago. He is a big body and throws himself around well in the corners, he battles hard every night and he can put the puck in the net. He was one of the best power forwards in the league last season and we are expecting him to add some offence immediately to our team.�

Robins will be back in the lineup for the game against the Edinburgh Capitals on 16th October.

A Season Preview of sorts from 3000+ miles away

KotG — 2009-09-04T07:00:00+01:00

Ten times now the Giants players have been getting themselves ready for another hockey season. Ten times now the fans have been revving themselves up for professional hockey in Belfast with all the hopes and dreams that come with it ...

When you say it like that ...

It's hard to believe where the years have gone on first glance at the words 'Ten' and 'Years', but the longer you sit and think about it the more the memories of a decade come flooding back into the conscience and the more you remember what has made this team a special one, if even only in the eyes of the faithful who follow it. But there have been so many good times, and plenty of bad that given a bit of time are all special to look back on and there is no reason to believe that the teams tenth season out on the ice won't create more of the same.

Heading into a new season is always special regardless of the sport: Everyone is on a level footing, no points have been won, nobody has scored goals, conceded goals, taken dumb penalties and nobody has lost anything. All players are looked on favorably and everyone has some what of a chance at opening weekend of the season.

Beautiful eah? (The eah is compulsory in anything I now write since I've now been in Canada a full twelve months ... Thankfully though I have not lost my accent one wee bit but no matter how hard I try at Blue Jay's games the fans just don't seem to grasp the beauty of the chant, "Yer Ma's Yer Da". I spent a lot of last year getting ripped off by the Maple Leafs and in the six games I attended I could have paid for half a Giants season ticket or sponsored George Awada's jersey, so I will spend the majority of this year at the reasonably priced 09/10 Marlies just down the street instead, trying on my Giants-only-chants which might just rub off on them given that a few hundred of you will get a full weekend to practice them in front of any traveling support they might bring in Edinburgh before I see that team take to the ice).

I seem I'm rambling so if you're still with me now I'll continue with the Giants season preview. I believe I was saying how beautiful my love of the opening weekend of a sporting season was and how every fan from every team is that bit keener to get along, and then after a month or so for some teams that have won a few and lost a few and have eventually moved into comfortable mid-table obscurity, everyone goes home happily prepared for another season of nothingness. But not the Giants, right?

It does seem a bit ridiculous someone 3000 miles away writing a season preview on the Giants but I still consider them my team and thanks to the effort of some fans they have become easier to follow than ever before. Besides, there is always something special about the opening games of the season for the Giants and other Elite League teams: The turnover of players per team is so high that it doesn't really matter were you live in the off season, you don't really know the team that well until you get to a few games early and for that reason there is little point me turning this season preview into a 'who is who' in the 09/10 team. By October I'll be left behind and will be looking on with interest as people decide who should be cut first, who was responsible for the 5-1 defeat and what is responsible for the curse on the Giants organisation that makes them the most injury prone team, season after season.

But until then I sit, like all but the few who have done their indepth research on all the new players and their favorite colours, looking at a list of names and a set of bog standard stats on hockeydb.com and wonder what they might do for the team, and it goes something like:

"Hmm, he's 6'2, weighs 225lbs, racked up over a hundred penalty minutes five years in a row so he must be able to handle himself and I can expect him to drop the gloves in the second period of the first game,I better search him quickly on youtube" ... "And this new guy is 5'9 and scored just under a point per game in the AHL three years back, had a cup of coffee in the NHL in 02/03 so he must be fast, solid on face-offs and a set-up man who will shine at Elite League level".

And so it goes throughout June, July and August with regular checks of hockeydb showing that the stats still haven't changed, until September when they hit the ice and the 6'2 player turtles the first fight and take a game misconduct for abuse of the official while the 5'8 player comes in slightly over weight, loses his first five faceoffs, passes up on passing the puck but grabs a hat trick and elevates himself to cult status. By Monday morning we're talking jersey retirements for him and who should be brought in to replace Mr. 6'2.

But us Giants fans are generally lucky fans. The above certainly happens but we tend to be spoiled with some pretty good players who live up to the hockeydb billing and some players who we aren't too sure about through the summer who prove what rubbish it is to base the potential of a player on a few statistics. Indeed, we have been spoiled, our team is rarely uncompetitive to the point were by Christmas we are wondering who we might be playing in the first home game the following year ... Actually it has never come to that for Giants fans, the first season aside they have never finished lower than forth and while they often tend to come up a little short of the final-four weekend in that sorry excuse for a playoffs they do bring home some form of silverware to parade to us every few years or so.

For those reasons alone there should be a good crowd in the Odyssey arena for the first home game and a good traveling support for the first official game of the season tonight in Nottingham. Like all the nights before the first game in years past it is an exciting time and we head into another season with no reason to believe we won't be somewhat competitive. It is the only time of the year that the percentage of fans with a positive outlook on things is so high, so get set to be entertained by all the joys and pains that come with the rigors of a 7-month hockey season. Even from 3000+ miles away, I'm pretty excited.

* * * * *

By the way, I know the Giants don't actually turn 10 until sometime in the summer of 2010 and the ten years from the first home game doesn't occur until December 2010 (that'll actually take place a month before Chelsea are able to buy another player again!!) but to hell with the facts, this is the 10th season they are heading into so why let a few technicalities get in the way of a good marketing opportunity. Enjoy.

Forum Upgrade

KotG — 2009-08-29T07:00:00+01:00

We have upgraded our forum software. The full forum has been converted over to the new forum software, so your username / posts / postcount will be intact. phpBB3 handles passwords more securely than phpBB2 did, so your password may not convert automatically.

If it didn�t convert, you will get the following message on login:

"It was not possible to convert your password when updating this bulletin board�s software. Please request a new password. If you continue to have problems please contact the Board Administrator."

To request a new password, do the following.

Click the �request a new password� link.

Enter your username and the email address associated with your account. You can find this out before the upgrade by clicking on your �Profile� above.

The system will send you an email with a link in it and a new password. (if you don't receive anything make sure you check your spam folders)

Click the link in the email to activate your account.

Then login using your username and your new password.

You can change your password to something you�ll remember by clicking �User Control Panel�, then �Profile� from the menu on the left, then �Edit Account Settings�

If you have any trouble changing your registered email or logging in after the upgrade please email admin @ kingdomofthegiants.com where one of our trained monkeys will be happy to help.

The Off-Season

KotG — 2009-08-11T07:00:00+01:00

As I sit to type this, it has been 125 long days since the Giants last played and were put out of the playoffs at the hand of the Cardiff Devils. Four mundane months I have had to mull around without seeing my team. Off-season can be such an arduous time of the hockey fan�s life. A time when he or she can get other things done. Shelves put up, creaking floorboards fixed or the hall walls that needed wallpapering since last October. As you carry out these menial but necessary tasks your mind may wander, I know mine does. It wanders to the calendar and the countdown I have in my minds eye and the thought of that �rubber biscuit� getting dropped in Dundonald.

Some lovesick person once coined the phrase, �absence makes the heart grow fonder�. This is the closest I can describe the feeling I have during the off-season of hockey. I miss the smell of my beer stained game worn jersey that has been gathering dust in the wardrobe for the past sixteen weeks. I miss the gathering of friends that normally happens in the various bars around Belfast before the traditional walk to the Odyssey. I miss the banter with the hockey going characters around the stadium that I inevitably bump into. I miss the uncomfortable feeling of the Odyssey seats as my knees rub against the seat in front. I miss discussing players with my father who has an equal love of the sport while at the games.

Above all these things, I miss the hockey. The absence of seeing my ice hockey team battle it out against another team gives me a buzz that I have yet to experience at other sports. Just before every Giants game, I feel like an over excited child with a tenner on my way to Leisureworld on Queen Street in the mid 80�s. It is this fired up feeling that makes me want to come back, it makes me want to watch my sport and it is why I�ll be there next season. Hockey season is nearly here again, bring it on!

The Clock Is Ticking

KotG — 2009-07-31T07:00:00+01:00

It is a little under 4 weeks before the Coors Belfast Giants take to the ice at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl to face the Newcastle Vipers in a pre-season match up that will kick off both teams 09/10 term.

The last few weeks have seen an enforced change in defense by Steve Thornton. Dave Philips departed the club having successfully bagged a position with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL.

Dave was replaced in the Giants side by his brother Kevin, formerly of the Slough Jets, who has previous EIHL experience with the hull Singrays and more recently with the Basingstoke Bison

With only two more import slots to fill, expected by the fans to be Evan Cheverie and long time team captain George Awada, Thornton will go into the 09/10 season with a different look to the side he formed 12 months ago.

Gardiner Cup to feature Giants

KotG — 2009-06-11T07:00:00+01:00

Today the Belfast Giants announced their participation in the Gardiner Cup, a four team tournament hosted by the Edinburgh Capitals and featuring two American Hockey League teams, the Toronto Marlies and the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The tournament will take place over the weekend of 26th & 27th September with the Capitals facing the Marlies and the Giants facing the Bulldogs. The winners of the two semi-finals will face off against each other on the Sunday, with the losers facing a 3rd place playoff game. If the Giants and Capitals meet each other over the weekend, it will count as an EIHL game.

Scott Neil of the Edinburgh Capitals spoke to UK Hockey Live about the tournament, listen here.

Thanks to Mathieu Morin for the use of his picture.

Giants Extend Their Roster

KotG — 2009-05-27T07:00:00+01:00

There has been a flurry of activity and signings with the Belfast Giants roster filling up their first 10 slots for the 09/10 season.

Hot on the heels of David Phillips, Colin Shields and Craig Peacock, the giants have wasted no time in signing up 4 further new faces. Tom Walsh, Sean McMorrow, Pat Bateman and Stephen Murphy. As well as returning players Nathan Craze, Graeme Walton and Shane Johnson.

D-man Walsh and Forward Bateman arrive as part of the Giants ties with the University of Ulster, both looking to complete their studies while also helping the Giants make an assault on the EIHL. Sean McMorrow arrived to be quickly be branded �The New Sheriff In Town� by the official Giants Website.

Stephen Murphy comes in as a replacement for Stevie Lyle between the pipes. The former Manchester Phoenix and Edinburgh Capitals netminder hoping to build on his Challenge Cup and Knock Out cup appearances last season.

Shields and Phillips Return

KotG — 2009-04-28T07:00:00+01:00

The Coors Belfast Giants today announced the return of Colin Shields and David Phillips for the forthcoming Elite League Campaign. Shields returns for the 2nd year of his 2-year contract, while Philips signs on for another year with the Giants following a fantastic debut season in Belfast

Both players competed in every one of the giants 71 games last season, Shields picking up the IHJUK Award for Best British Forward scoring 92 points. Philips, affectionately referred to as �Cheesy� by sections of the fans, belied his young age with a solid defensive performance both for the Giants and in his bronze medal winning trip to the World championships in Poland with Team GB.

In a statement on the Giants official website, Coach Steve Thornton defined his delight at the resigning of these two British players saying:

�They both exceeded my expectations of them prior to the year beginning. Shields emerged as a genuine superstar in this league and was one of the most consistent players in the league. Phillips was our best all-round defencemen last season, and our most improved player.

In other league news, doubt has been shed on the future of the Manchester Phoenix within the EIHL. A meeting is to take place on Thursday with fans in which management proposals will be discussed. Further news is available on UK Hockey LIVE

Giants Make First Signing

KotG — 2009-04-22T07:00:00+01:00

The Coors Belfast Giants have made their first acquisition of the 2009 off-season. And in a similar vain to last seasons first signing of youn british prospect Dave Phillips, Steve Thornton has again looked to young British talent with the signature of Craig Peacock from the Peterborough Phantoms.

Twenty year old Peacock comes off a season where he achieved the highest points tally of any British player in the English Premier League, a very impressive haul of 106 points, including 57 goals.

On the Official Website, Player-Coach Steve Thornton is quoted as saying �I believe that he is in line to have a great rookie year with the Giants�. And he would follow in Phillips foot steps in that regard, the young defenseman from the East Riding of Yorkshire capping a successful first season with the Giants with a rewarding trip to Poland with Team GB.

Across the league, Hull and Coventry have started at the back, both picking up Scandinavian netminders. Tommy Sandahl and Peter Hirsch joining the Rays and the Blaze respectively.

EIHL Playoff Finals Weekend 2009 - LIVE

KotG — 2009-04-01T07:00:00+01:00

Even with the season sadly over for fans on this side of the Irish Sea, Kingdom Of The Giants has been busy preparing a gift for the site's users. Despite the fact that you won't be able to follow the Giants' progress the finals weekend, hockey fans will still be able to access live information from Nottingham, brought to you through an exciting cooperative project with a new ice hockey website UK Hockey LIVE

Close to 1000 fans logged in to the live text coverage of the Giants' Playoff quarter final first leg on KOTG and UK Hockey Live's test coverage of the Newcastle Vipers v Coventry Blaze second leg this weekend. This number will undoubtedly increase as the season draws to a dramatic conclusion this weekend.

The coverage is totally free, and will offer a minute by minute text update service, as well as end of period audio reports from the UK Hockey Live team, live photos, and all the latest in game news.

If you use Twitter, tag your tweets with #ukhl to submit your comments to the live weekend long feed on the website.

Bunkers Hill Inn will also host a live edition of A View From The Bridge on Saturday morning, bringing you all the early stories from Nottingham and featuring fans from all over the UK hockey scene.

News, views, pictures and blogs will be uploaded throughout the course of the weekend, bringing you all the latest information from Nottingham as well as interviews from fans and players alike.

We hope that you will help to make this experiment a success by visiting UK Hockey LIVE over the course of the weekend to check out the happenings from the Finals Weekend, and that throughout the event and that you can keep us updated with suggestions on how to improve the service.

To Be Or Not To Be...

KotG — 2009-03-29T07:00:00+01:00

The highs and lows of playoff hockey can take their toll on a fan.. Conor gives us his take

... Not to be it seems. If any fan wanted to experience the plethora of emotions associated with sports, then surely this weekend would have served them all. In just twenty-four hours Giants fans went from agony to ecstasy and back as their team fell just short of qualification for the Elite League�s Playoff Finals Weekend. It was the second year in a row that the Giants were unable to overcome a first leg deficit as the Cardiff Devils denied them a dramatic come from behind win with an overtime goal from captain Brad Voth.

If Giants fans were to be honest, they may well concede that Cardiff deserved to advance over the two legs, having set up their stall in the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night and come away with a surprise 2-1 lead. A spirited Giants victory in regulation time (3-2) set up five minutes of overtime, but the Devils only needed the first of those minutes with Bobby Robbins serving a two minute penalty into the decisive session. The 4 on 3 advantage was too much for the valiant Giants outfit who had battled back from 5-3 down on aggregate to equalise with barely a minute left on the clock.

It was also an extremely interesting night in the KOTG chat-room with tension filling the interwebs. The joy was more than palpable as news of Evan Cheverie�s second goal of the game began to filter through. �Caps Locks� predominated as Giants fans began to believe that the team would return to the finals weekend after a year�s absence. But it was not to be, since with only thirty-three seconds gone in the extra period, Voth struck to send the packed Tent in Cardiff into raptures as they continued to improve their impressive playoff pedigree of recent years, and set up a fascinating clash with the EIHL champions, the Sheffield Steelers. The two sides have built up an intense rivalry this season, which has erupted on more than one occasion both on and off the ice, most memorably amid accusations that Devils fans had attacked the Sheffield bus as it attempted to leave after a league clash in the Welsh capital.

Giants fans will be left to reflect with what has been a largely successful season, with two cups captured, but also left to rue a dramatic dip in form late season which ultimately cost the side an easier qualification tie in the Playoff rounds. Nevertheless, hundreds will still make the annual pilgrimage across the Irish Sea to join the rest of the UK�s ice-hockey fraternity next weekend in what promises to be a great weekend for all who travel.

For those not heading to Nottingham, it�s time to hang up the jerseys for another season, time to raid the savings for the early bird season ticket, and time to start thinking of what weird and wonderful O/T subjects to discuss over the summer in the traditional �Totally Pointless Post�.

KOTG will be online as always bringing you he latest news from your Belfast Giants as and when it�s announced in what will undoubtedly prove to be a tumultuous off-season. Look out as well for news on our forthcoming Playoff Weekend coverage. As always here at KOTG, we are trying to bring you the latest innovations in the hockey world and next weekend will be no exception!

Have a great off-season; I know I will!

Giants Season Ends As Cardiff Progress

KotG — 2009-03-29T07:00:00+01:00

Agony for the Coors Belfast Giants as Brad Voth ended their hope of reaching the Playoff Finals next weekend with a goal early in overtime to take the Welsh side through.

Belfast had it all to do when Matt Towe gave the home side the early lead. A powerplay goal providing the Devils a 2 goal cushion on aggregate. That was wiped out however within 10 minutes. Dave Phillips struck first, the young man from Humberside scoring his second goal in the tie, and Evan Cheverie evened the overall scores on 13 minutes following a great pass by Steve Thornton.

This was only the first period however and a second period goal from Phil Hill, followed by a goal in the 41st minute by Jason Silverthorn had the Giants in the final stanza of the match once again 2 goals behind. But once again the valliant visitors fought back. Paul Deniset halved the deficit on 50 minutes and, with Lyle pulled for the extra attacker, Evan Cheverie send the watching Giants fans wild with a late late equaliser. The game was heading for overtime, but not before Bobby Robins could, unfortunately, put his team on the back foot, referee Nigel Boniface calling the Giants forward for interference with a minute left on the clock

And with that it only took much maligned Devils Captain Brad Voth 33 seconds to drive the nail into the Giants season. An overtime goal that put the Devils into a semi final match against the Steelers and sent the Giants home dejected