A Tale of Four Goalies

After a disappointing exit from the Challenge Cup at the hands of the Manchester Phoenix, the Coors Belfast Giants tonight return to Elite Ice Hockey League action with the visit of the Sheffield Steelers. It also marked the return of former Giants captain Shane Johnson, recently signed from the EPL’s Slough Jets as coverage for the injured Scott Ricci.

The last two encounters between these sides were 11 goal thrillers following the same script. The Sheffield Steelers, both in the Odyssey and the Hallam FM Arena, took an early lead only to see the gained 4-1 advantage slip away in the third period and finally to lose 6-5 in overtime. As exciting as the games where, the Odyssey faithful will be hoping for a more dedicated and efficient performance from the home-side, one that has been lacking in recent matches.

The Steelers travel off the back of a dramatic penalty shots win over arch-rival Nottingham Panthers the night before. A game in which they trailed heavily, before hitting their stride, pulling goals back and equalising with seconds on the clock. Where as the Coors Belfast Giants, in contrast, come off a disappointing Challenge Cup elimination to the Phoenix, one, which the fans felt, lacked passion from the home side. Ed Courtenay will be looking to instil in his team the importance of holding on to their position at the top of the EIHL

And it didn’t take long for the Giants to strike. With Shaun Sutter of the Steelers sitting 2 minutes for holding the stick, in the ensuing powerplay, a nasty bounce off the boards caught out Steelers netminder Jody Lehman behind the net. The puck fell to Jeff Hutchins who easily backhanded it into the empty net.

There was evidence of some special teams variation from Ed Courtenay when J.P. Morin was sat down for Hooking, the penalty kill featured not just the usual faces of Jason Ruff and Todd Kelman, but Marc Levers and Graeme Walton accompanying them.

Mike Minard was almost caught out mid penalty kill, when wandering behind the net the puck fell to Mark Thomas who’s shot on the open net was saved by the stick of Giants captain George Awada. Within seconds the puck broke shorthanded to ‘Magical’ Mark Dutiaume, however Jody Lehman was up to the one on one advance, saving it easily.

In an action packed first period the Giants doubled their lead through Todd Kelman. Kelman fired home from the slot after a superb shift from Mark Levers in which Levers had a couple of shots of his own. 2-0 mid way through the period and the Giants fans were pleased with what they were seeing.

However on 12.59 the Steelers drew their first goal from the game. With the Giants on the powerplay thanks to a Warren Tait slash, an uncharacteristic error from Todd Kelman forced Mike Minard to make a pad save from Dan Tessier, The rebound, as the powerplay ended, fell to Shaun Sutter who made no mistake in pulling a goal back for the visitors.

Shane Johnson was making his presence on his return to the arena that was his home for 6 seasons, drawing a hooking penalty from Ruff in a way the Giants fans used to love seeing him do. The resulting 5 on 3 was seen off by the Giants, but the big news of the period came as the buzzer went to end the session

Mike Minard took exception to Brett Cloutheir, slashing him as he left the ice. Clouthier, unsurprisingly responded, and Skihar waded in for good measure. The players, who were on their way down the tunnel, came hurrying back out on to the ice where a brawl ensured. Both Netminders and their backups were involved in the scrum, as were most of the Giants and Steelers bench, the ice was a litter of gloves, sticks and helmets. The resulting penalties dished out by Referee Nigel Boniface saw Jason Ruff, Mike Minard, Shawn Skihar and Jody Lehman, get kicked out on game penalties, with Brett Clouthier getting a Match Penalty for ‘gouging’.

All this excitement meant that the second period began with back-up netminders Davy Lawrence and Kevin Kelly between the pipes. Kelly having only played 4 minutes 35 seconds so far this season, and it only took the Steelers 35 seconds to score past him. Dan Tessier on the powerplay fed Rod Sarich who fired past the young keeper and levelled the scores.

The Giants regained their lead two minutes later, J.P. Morin with a thundering slapshot from the blueline beating Davy Lawerence and showing that with the young back ups in either net, the game may be a duck shoot.

Steelers captain Shawn Maltby levelled proceedings for the second the in this game, another mistake from Todd Kelman allowed Shane Johnson to feel Maltby. Maltby’s shot was gloved by Kelly, however the puck fell out of the glove and behind the stranded netminder, into the net. However it only took 30 seconds before the Giants regained their lead. Captain George Awada laid the puck to J.P. Morin on the left point and Morin fired home the homeside’s 4th goal of the game. 4-3 at the midway point of the period and the game with some of the most exciting scenes at the Odyssey this season.

As the period continued both netminders began to pick up their game, Kelly saving well from a great shot by Phil Hill, with Lawrence being equal to Giants attempts on the Steelers goal. With that they held their own and seen out the second session without any more goals from either side.

The third period remained high tempo, with both defenses tightening up and forward lines skating freely in the centre space. Leigh Jamieson tried to keep the action physical and received a 2+10 for a cross-check from behind. The opening half of the period was noticeable for the fantastic fore-checking work of Mark Morrison, once again showing that the Giants 3rd line is one to be reckoned with this season.

And it was Marc Levers who gave the Giants their 5th goal of the night. On a forward rush from their own end, Hutchins fed Awada whose shot on Davy Lawrence was rebounded in front of Levers and the Englishman made no mistake in placing the puck up and into the Steelers net with only five and a half minutes remaining in the game.

With only a minute left in the game Mark Morrison received a well deserved goal, crashing the net and converting a Hutchin’s pass into the Giant’s 6h goal of the night, finishing the game for the home win.

In one of the most action packed games of the season so far, it was the third line and back-up netminders who were the stars of the show for the Coors Belfast Giants. Coach Ed Courtenay will be pleased in the response from his side having lost some of their main big players and the grit of Kevin Kelly after a slow start to his game. The Man of the Match award was given to the whole team for their effort after losing key players.

Patrick Smyth

Aaron Kernohan

More News

Live Scores

League Standings

full table >>

Giants' Stat Leaders

Site Search