I Predict A Payette (Goal)

Hockey is back in a big way. The Coors Belfast Giants opened their season only 2 days ago with a home win against the visiting Newcastle Vipers. Tonight it was Newcastle’s turn to act as hosts. Ed Courtenay's side hoping to gain another 2 points from the north-east EIHL team.

The Giants were once again without Matt Reid, but also tonight former captain Shane Johnson sat behind the bench nursing a knee problem that was gained in Fridays close 1-0 victory

The Giants were expecting a rougher encounter as the Vipers were out to impress their home fans. And it only took two and a half minutes before Shawn Skiehar squared up to former Giant Mel Angelstad. The two men dropped the gloves removed their helmets and squared up by the players benches. They skated round for a few seconds, stalking each other seeing who would make the first move. And it was Skiehar who swung first, two clean jabs to Angelstad’s face. Angelstad countered with a couple of digs to the side of Skiehars head before the two grappled, each gaining slight digs, But as the ref broke to two apart it was honours even and they sat their 2 minutes in the box.

In this end to end match up, the goal-less first 2 periods were punctuated with some key events. 15 minutes in the Vipers broke on a two on one against Steve O'Brien, a clean shot from Vipers Captain Jonathan Weaver dinged the crossbar and flew out of the rink, much to Giants netminder, and man of the match, Mike Minard’s relief.

In the second period it was the Giants captain this time, George Awada, who came close on the powerplay to giving the visitors the advantage, but an on form Vipers netminder Trevor Koenig, stood tall and denied the Giants forward.

The Vipers became a man down after 28 minutes when Michael Tasker hit Todd Kelman in the corner to the left of the Giants goal. Tasker was kicked from the game for a cross-check from behind. However the Giants were struggling on the powerplay and found it difficult to use the advantage,

The two teams entered the final period in stalemate despite both having their fair of chances. It was also a very physical game as the Giants team stood up to the Vipers “tough men”. However the Belfast team found themselves in all sorts of trouble as Curtis Huppe was sent to the box by ref Andy Carson for slashing only to be closely followed by Jason Bowen, sent for illegal equipment, having played the puck with his helmet not properly attached. The Giants stood to take on the 5 on 3 onslaughts, but they were punished as Andre Payette lashed home an open ice shot from the slot into the back of Minards net. The home team taking the lead with 13 minutes remaining.

The Giants looked very fatigued, suffering from their short bench. They didn’t seem to be creating much and the blow of the being a goal down was taking its toll. However it was up to the captain to lead by example. George Awada dispossessed Vipers Jan Krajieck in the offensive zone, he took the puck to the right hand circle before squaring it back to Todd Kelman on the edge of the blue-line. Kelman hammered it toward the net. Trevor Koeing got a piece of it, but not enough as the momentum carried it over the line. The Vipers fans were silenced. And with only 4 minutes dead to go, the visitors had forced overtime.

The four on four overtime continued as the game had been, end to end, however the Vipers were looking more and more like the team who would nick the win. That was before Curtis Huppe took the puck on the left of the Vipers crease, deked Koeing and placed the puck into the net. A well grinded out win and valuable early points on the road.

Ed Courtenay seemed just as pleased as the travelling Giants fans with this win. And it bodes well that the Giants can edge these victories while being severely short benched. They travel to London next weekend hoping to continue this early winning run.

Patrick Smyth

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