Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
The Final(s) Countdown!
05-Apr-2006The Coors Belfast Giants head to Nottingham to compete in the Playoff Finals for only the second time in their history this weekend.
After such a promising start to the league campaign, the Giants will feel their regular season ended in a less than emphatic fashion, winning the league by a much tighter margin than their superb mid-season form dictated they may. However, the playoff qualifying campaign saw an upturn in form and defied the almost seasonal capitulation with the Giants qualifying second in their group behind the resurgent Cardiff Devils. In doing so, the reigning EIHL Playoff champions Coventry Blaze and the Edinburgh Capitals were ousted in the competition.
So this saturday in the second semi-final (face off 5pm), the Giants meet this years surprise package in the shape of the Newcastle Vipers. The Elite League new kids on the block had a storming year, taking the runner up spot in the league and defying critics - as their physical play nearly saw them finish the regular season on top. The match is sure to be a barn-stormer, with rivalries from the regular season holding still and the teams both in a rich vein of form carried over from the league campaign.
The other semi final (saturday 1pm) is between the Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers. Both teams could be termed as surprise qualifiers for the Playoffs having had indifferent regular season campaigns. Sheffield have had to contend with management difficulties whilst Cardiff faced an uncertain future with their WNIR home being scheduled for demolition. The problems certainly appeared to affect the on-ice form. However, both recovered not only to make these Playoffs but both garnered silverware with Cardiff taking the Challenge Cup and Sheffield taking the Knockout Cup - both beating the fancied Coventry Blaze on penalties after two-legged finals.
The winners of the two games will meet on Sunday in the season's showpiece event at 3pm to decide who will be crowned Playoff Champions.
So, with all teams hitting form and the big prize to play for, the fans are in for a treat!
Live Scores
Next Game
Next SeasonLast Game
- Sat 07 Apr
- vs Devils, OTL 4-3
- Giants Goals: Rebek, Clarke, Hoffman
- Devils Goals: Matzka, Dobben, Piggot
League Standings
| P | TEAM | GP | W(OT) | L(OT) | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giants | 54 | 46(0) | 5(3) | 95 |
| 2 | Steelers | 54 | 41(0) | 11(2) | 84 |
| 3 | Panthers | 54 | 38(0) | 12(4) | 80 |
| 4 | Devils | 54 | 32(0) | 12(10) | 74 |
| 5 | Blaze | 54 | 32(0) | 20(2) | 66 |
| 6 | Clan | 54 | 31(0) | 19(4) | 66 |
| 7 | Stingrays | 54 | 16(0) | 34(4) | 36 |
| 8 | Stars | 54 | 13(0) | 35(6) | 32 |
| 9 | Capitals | 54 | 13(0) | 37(4) | 30 |
| 10 | Flyers | 54 | 8(0) | 40(6) | 22 |
Giants' Stat Leaders
| Points | Robert Dowd | 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 40 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 49 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 247 |