Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Devils Exorcised
13-Jan-2007The Coors Belfast Giants returned to action tonight, January 13th after a 2 week layoff. A large Odyssey Arena crowd was anticipating an improved performance with the players aches and pains given time to heal.
The Coors Giants had to get those legs working early, killing off a long 5 on 3 Devils' powerplay with JP Morin in the box for delay of game, and Roman Gavalier following him 43 seconds later for roughing. Mike Minard stood tall however and a low left pad save kept the Giants in the game. Jason ruff broke down the ice as JP Morin stepped out of the box before being denied, losung control of the puck at the vital second when through on Osaer.
Having got through the first period with new line combinations seeming to make a bit of a difference, the team's confidence grew in the second. Leigh Jamieson playing on the top line with Ruff and Dutiaume found a way round the back of the net 4.47 into the second period, wringfooting Devils goalie Osaer before slotting into the emoty net to give the Giants the lead.
Once again the Giants' powerplay wasn't fucntioning as well as coach Ed Courtenay would have been hoping, but with only 3 seconds left in the period, Mark Dutiaume fed Curtis Huppe who found himself all alone in the slot and fired the puck home to make it 2-0 after 2 periods.
The final period saw yet more Giants pressure, however the game was very open with play going end to end, Mike Minard making the saves when called upon. A fine breakout as Leigh Jamieson flipped the puck to centre ice led to Jason Ruff gloving the puck down and taking the Devils zone 2 on 1 with Mark Dutiiaume. His pass to Mark Dutiaume was perfect before Dutiaume returned the favour and, with Osaer out of position, Jason Ruff slotted home his 24th goal of the season.
With the crowd on their feet and time running out, Curtis Huppe capped the night with a fine individual goal. The Giants skating shorthanded killing off a second JP Morin delay of game penalty, Curtis Huppe stripped the puck in centre ice before advancing into the Devils zone. From the right slot just inside the blueline, Huppe fired a rocket of a shot over Osaer's glove that clipped the underside of the crossbar and dropped into the goal sealing a fine 4-0 win with only 1.15 remaining.
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 |