Giants Go Down In Flames

Two home games in as many nights for the Harp Lager Belfast Giants and tonight it was the Manchester Phoenix who visited the Odyssey Arena. It is only 9 days since Rick Brebant last brought his side over the Irish Sea. That night ended in defeat for the league newcomers and Brebant was hoping to avenge that defeat giving the travelling Manchester fans an early Christmas present.

Itâ??s always a lottery as to what Phoenix side turns up. Their consistency has not been their trademark this season. And as the puck dropped it was Belfast who began the game the stronger. Heavy on the forecheck the Giants pushed forward hoping to gain an early advantage, Manchester netminder Jayme Platt had other ideas however. It was Giants #44 Todd Kelman who had the early chances, following a tough shot from the right circle, picking up the rebound from the save and having a second bite, but Platt produced another great save and the kept the homeside from edging ahead. Both teams traded penalties mid-period, but the penalty killing from both teams seemed to be on top form. The period ended in stalemate.

The second session began with a bang! 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the period the two Giants defensemen Jason Bowen and Shane Johnson linked up to give Belfast the lead. Bowen took the puck laid it off to Shane Johnson in the left circle. The #4 muscled his way past 2 Manchester players across the ice to end up in front of goal and as clam as you like fired the puck into the back of Jayme Plattâ??s net. 1-0 to the home team and the Giants fans were hoping for an early present from Santa before the Christmas break.

However the Phoenix werenâ??t gonna a lie down. They stepped up their game and minutes later they levelled the score. David Kozier skating up to Giants netminder Colin Ryder having received the puck from Mike Morin. Kozier deceived Ryder, leaving him sprawled in the crease as the Phoenix player slotted the puck through the pipes right in front of the delighted travelling Manchester support.

Despite Jason Bowen demonstrating some great hits, the Giants defense were looking shaky mid-period. Manchester tried to capitalise on this and put heavy pressure on the home side. They seemed to have the Giants pinned back in their own zone and this pressure paid off. Straight from a face off in left circle, Manchesterâ??s #19 Petteri Lotila set up the puck for a shot by Jason Hewitt. Giantsâ?? netminder Colin Ryder raised his glove for the catch. However the puck was higher than he expected it to be, it clipped the top of the glove as it flew into the back of the net and at the half way point of the game it was the visitors who had the advantage.

Brebantâ??s side continued to pile the pressure on the Giants defense for the remainder of the period but couldnâ??t increase their advantage. Rob Stewartâ??s side was showing fatigue. Being the last game before the Christmas break, the team seemed to be looking forward to the final buzzer. Colin Ryder had played in every game since the beginning of the season and the burden seemed to be taking its toll, despite some great saves, Ryder seem tired. Toward the end of the period the Giants pressed forward, Kenny coming close with a shot from the slot but it wasnâ??t enough.

The Giants started the final period in an unfamiliar position. It had been a while since they began a final period at home on the back foot. But it wasnâ??t long before the score was tied up. 51 seconds into the final period Colin Ward received the puck from Curt Bowen and Giants Captain Jason Ruff, working the puck behind the goal, and Ward placed the puck past Platt. The Giants were still in this game.

Minutes later Giants Graeme Walton and Phoenix goal-scorer Jason Hewitt were sent to the box by referee Moray Hanson for 2 minutes following a handbags incident, and while they sat and felt shame David Kozier made his case for a man of the match award. Jayme Platt passed the puck on to Mike Morin. Morin in turn passed down the right to Kozier. Picking up the puck in his own zone, the #16 skipped up the right and into the offensive zone before hammering the puck past Ryder, once again giving the visitors the lead with what was undoubtedly the goal of the game.

So with just over 15 minutes remaining the Giants attempted to once again level the scores. Ruff had a breakaway with 10 minutes on the clock but was unable to convert and the Giants had a few other chances, however the Phoenix seemed to have shut up shop, ready to take the spoils. Frustration on the Giants part was shown when, following the whistle for an interference call on Paxton Schulte, Schulte drew Mike Morin in to an extra roughing call, but once again it was handbags at dawn.

Rob Stewart waved off Colin Ryder with 1.05 left on the clock hoping to send on the extra attacker, but as Ryder made his way to the bench the Giants lost possession and Ryder had to backtrack. Stewart called a time out with 59 seconds on the clock, again pulling Ryder for the attacker, this time Ryder made it to the bench, but the Giants couldnâ??t hold on to the puck long enough to get a decent shot on Plattâ??s goal. It was the Phoenix supporters who stood and cheered their conquering heroes as the final buzzer sounded. A great performance from the visiting side that pleased their coach no end Iâ??m sure.

A 3-2 loss was an unfortunate result so close to Christmas. The Giants however seemed to show the effects of being short-benched and playing back to back games. The team seemed fatigued and will undoubtedly be taking it easy for a short while over the Christmas week. Many will be spending it with loved ones, a few heading back home for a few days. However the Giants are back in action on Saturday, travelling to Basingstoke before a run of five home games in 2 weeks.

Top of both Rob Stewartâ??s and the Giants supporters Christmas wish list will be a replacement for Sean Berens with the added hope that the Giants can capitalise on the forthcoming run of home games in the race for the Elite League title.

Finally, on behalf of KOTG, and myself, Iâ??d like to wish all readers a very Happy Christmas, we hope that Santa is good to you all in this holiday period.

Happy Christmas

Patrick Smyth

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