Ruff game to watch.

The Coors Belfast Giants iced last night without their influential playmaker Jason Ruff, who has apparently taken a knock to the ankle and has flown home for a weeks recuperation.

After the two teams last meeting, most Giants fans could have been forgiven for expecting the game to be a cakewalk. Those expectations were to be undone as the Capitals proved to be a much tougher nut to crack this time.

Perhaps the Giants were missing Ruff, perhaps they were nervous about their impending charity leg-waxing. Whatever the reason, the game will be remembered probably only by its shortened period breaks, which were apparently at the request of the Capitals due to their return journey immediately after the game.

The fact that the scoreline at the end of the first period was 0-0 was a testament to the Capitals improved play, and also it has to be said, an indictment of the Giants poor play overall. The deadlock was broken however on the 23rd minute when Rob Stewart and Steve O'Brien combined to set up Marc Levers in the left circle and he took his time before firing the puck high over the left shoulder of Kucera.

The Capitals defence did not collapse and they pushed forward and played a strong final period as they searched for the equaliser with Giants goalie Mike Minard forced into a number of good saves as he ended up recording his third shut-out of the season, a 24 save effort. He was beaten all ends up though with four minutes to go when Tony Hand found Michael Keisman with a glorious pass and the Capitals forward burst in on Minard, beat him, but his shot hit the post.

It was the closest the Capitals came to at least forcing overtime. The Giants now have seven days off before next Sunday's home game against the Sheffield Steelers (5.00pm face-off).

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