Giants 5 Racers 1

Rumors that London Racers coach Peter Ekroth has filed a motion with the EIHL to change the game from 3 periods into two halves may not be totally unfounded as the Racers followed what has become an all too familiar pattern. Once again the league new comers put up a spirited display, only to crumble in the final period.

The Giants struck first through Brad Kenny, the forward latching on to a rebounded shot from Paxton Schulte and slotting the puck to the right of netminder Anders Hogberg from close range. The Racers, made up predominantly of Scandinavians, are finding it tough to fit in to the leagues North American style of hockey and ended the first period 1-0 down.

Giants Netminder Colin Ryder was on top form, fending off all that was thrown at him for most of the second period. Giants captain Jason Ruff doubled the home sideâ??s advantage five minutes into the second. Skating on a slight break into the offensive zone, he pushed the puck past Hogberg to the delight of the Odyssey crowd. Then the Giants began to show exactly why they are the league leaders, with both Schulte and Kenny in the bin for various offenses, the Giants fended off the 2-man disadvantage, and it wasnâ??t made any easier when Colin Ryder broke his stick, subsequently having to drop it, briefly using Todd Kelmanâ??s, but fending off two SOGâ??s without it.

The visitors struck back with Sean Murdoch picking up a rebound off Colin Ryderâ??s pads and placing it past the in form Giants netminder giving the Racers a hope of a comeback and allowing the second period to end 2-1.

As they did against the Steelers and when the Giants visited the Ally Pally, the Racers came out of the dressing room for the final period with a glimmer of hope for that elusive first victory, only for their hopes to be crushed under an avalanche of goals. Two goals in two minutes from Jason Ruff and Paul Sample gave the Giants a solid 3 goal advantage. Ekroth pulled Hogberg with approx 2mins on the clock, hoping to gain ground on the Giants with the man advantage. However it was the Giants who picked up the puck and Todd Kelman made it 3 goals in 3 consecutive games for the defenseman from Calgary, firing the puck into the empty net with only 37 seconds remaining on the clock.

Giants now travel to Coventry before hosting the Panthers and the Steelers next week in what should be two very tough games.

Patrick Smyth

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