Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Devils Ride Into Town
02-Sep-2008 | Discuss this Article
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Only days to go before the curtain raises on the 2008-09 Elite Ice Hockey League Season, and following a weekend of emphatic scoring by the Coors Belfast Giants the season begins with the visit of the Cardiff Devils to the Odyssey Arena
Steve Thornton will return to Odyssey ice in Giants colours for the first time since 2003 as he sends out the home side to take on another of his former clubs. Thornton, alongside Giants netminder Stevie Lyle, enjoyed great success with the Cardiff Devils in the 90’s, but nostalgia counts for nothing as the Giants hope to hit the ground running with their new look side.
It will be the first taste of the Odyssey atmosphere for 6 of the 8 brand new faces to the Giants roster, only Evan Cheverie and David Phillips having experienced hockey in Belfast before with Coventry and Hull respectively. While Nathan Craze, Colin Shields and Paul Sample will join Steve Thornton as players returning to Belfast follwing a number of seasons elsewhere.
Sample will be facing off against a different looking Devils side to the one he played in last season. Gerard Adams has spent time recruiting wisely in the off season, with his priority being Cardiff favourite Brad Voth.
Voth is a man who needs no introduction. No stranger to controversy, he served a ban last season for a late hit on Sheffield's Ashley Tait. Loved by some, hated by many, Voth is one player that always causes a reaction whomever he plays for or against.
Peter Aubry returns between the pipes for the Devils having spent last season in the ECHL and latterly in the German 2nd division. Aubry was a key player in the Devils successful Challenge Cup campaign of 2006, and is expected to be one of the leagues standout netminders this season.
Following the departure of Sylvan Deschatlets to the Coventry Blaze, Adams has brought in former Newcastle Vipers forward Rod Hinks. Hinks scored 47 points in 40 games for the Vipers, and will line up alongside former Bison, Derek Campbell and Gerard Adams ‘”Number One Guy” Jason Silverthorn in the Welsh sides attack. Silverthorn amassed 46 points in 42 games last season and will be hoping to better that this season.
Hockey is well and truly back for another season at the Odyssey Arena and as the “Era” of Steve Thornton begins, a lot of fans are seeing this as a fresh start and hope that come April the Giants Trophy Cabinet will once more be adorned by Silverware.
KotG will once again this season be bringing you all the news, views and information on the Belfast Giants. Live Text Updates from games at Home and Away. A View From The Bridge returns for another season. You can of course keep up to date through our forum. And there are a number of other things in the pipeline that we will be bringing you as the season progresses.
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 |