They Think It's All Over.... It Is Now!

Sunday 6th March 2005, that was the day the Belfast Giants beat the Sheffield Steelers and in doing so, registered their final victory of the 04/05 EIHL season. No Giants fan would have believed that, with the playoffs ahead, they would not see their team pick up another win.

However with tonights 4-1 defeat at the hands of the in-form Cardiff Devils, Tony Hand's side finished their season with a run of 10 games without a win. A very disappointing end to a season that, just over a month ago, was full of hope. With second place in the EIHL league campaign, the Odyssey faithful believed they would be a formidable force in the race for the Playoff trophy.

That was not to be and tonight Dave Whistle, who led the Giants to their only Playoff glory, brought his Devils side back to his old stomping ground safe in the knowledge that qualification for the Final Four had already ben achieved.

And it was the Devils who opened the scoring with Jon Cullen scoring a scrappy goal off John Craighead, Craighead having a fantastic post-season in Devils colours, having begun the season with the Nottingham Panthers. But playing for pride the Giants hit back. Jason Bowen, who over the last few games has been fighting hard for the Giants cause, set the puck up for Curt Bowen to equal up the scoring.

With half an hour left in the game Coach Hand decided to place local netminder Chris McGimpsey between the pipes. KotG MVP Martin Klempa skating off the ice for possibly the last time in a Giants shirt. McGimpsey however didn't settle quick enough it seemed, Jason Becker giving the Devils a 2-1 advantage within 20 seconds of the netminder entering the game.

The Devils soon pulled away. Goals from Phil Hill and John Craighead gave the visitors a 4-1 lead and cemented their win.

That brings an all too premature end to the Belfast Giants season. The fans were hoping their team would march on Nottingham next weekend, but it was not to be. They finished the playoff campaign without a win and bottom of their group. And despite a season of thrilling hockey in which the home fans were shown some amazing skill and passion, their season came to a close tonight with a poor run of form.

Despite that there is no reason to be disheartened. The Belfast Giants will return again in the new season and will be ready to fight for the 05/06 title.

As for Coventry, Sheffield, Cardiff and Nottingham, they will be heading to the NIC next weekend to decide on the final trophy of the EIHL season.

Patrick Smyth