Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Men of Steel!
09-Nov-2007 | Discuss this Article
With the Challenge Cup now a thankful distant memory, the Coors Belfast Giants return to league competition on Saturday night with the first visit this season of the Sheffield Steelers. The Giants are on a 3 game winning streak and after the demolition of the Phoenix in Dundalk a few weeks ago, Ed Courtenay will be hoping the ‘revival’ continues.
Shane Johnson will be taking to the ice against the side he played for earlier this season, and the Sheffield Steelers momentum has stuttered of late. 3 wins in the last 5 games for Dave Matsos’s side have been a bit of an in-consistent run. The Steelers side have at times looked very strong, however they have found it tough to keep with the league leading Coventry Blaze. A win in Belfast would be paramount in their title challenge.
The Belfast fans will get their first view of Ashley Tait in a Sheffield Steelers Shirt, the Nottingham native and former Coventry forward has continued his great form in Yorkshire after the off-season move. Tait, now in the squad along his brother Warren, is the leading scorer in Sheffield with 22. The Steelers have also shown strength in Jeff Legue, Randy Deganais and Steve Munn, however it will be Jeremy Cornish who will be no stranger to Belfast fans, the former London Racer and Newcastle Viper is providing the Steelers with their tough option this season, and despite a slow start, he now has Sheffield fans warming to his style of play.
Rumours are abound that this weekend could see the return of Scott Cameron and Mark Dutiaume from injury, both would be entering the lines to strengthen the Giants side. Cameron, who previous to his ankle injury was one of the stand out players for the Belfast Giants, may get the chance to step into a top line involving Ed Courtenay and Peter Campbell, who so far have been unstoppable in their efforts alongside Leigh Jamieson.
On Sunday the Giants travel to Hull for another showdown against the Stingrays, this time hoping to repeat their last visit which seen them humiliate Hull 7-1. Hull have been on an awful run of form. They have only one victory since they face the Giants a month ago and the Giants will be looking to add to that run. The Game will also be shown next week on Sky Sports, marking the first time the Belfast Giants will have appeared since the EIHL began broadcasting with Sky.
There will, unfortunately, be no live updates this weekend as Patrick will in attendance in Belfast, however you can keep up to date with all the scores and states through our friends over at ih-update. But fear not! The updates will return for the visit of the Cardiff Devils on Thursday night and an away game special in Newcastle next Sunday.
Patrick Smyth
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 |