Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Meh-ry Christmas!
16-Dec-2011The Belfast Giants may be going into the Festive season atop the standings, but alas this may be where the good news ends right now. A tough overtime loss in Sheffield when the team led with just 47 seconds remaining has put Sheffield into the driving seat with many games in hand and a chance to go clear at the top. However, the Giants have the points on the board which is always preferable to the games in hand.
Wanting to put right the perceived wrongs of THAT Sheffield game where some contentious decisions at the end of the game went the way of the Steelers may also now be more difficult than it may have been. Over the last few years Belfast Giants title hopes have seemingly tended to come undone over the holidays for whatever reason. Throw in some bad luck and this Christmas could continue that trend.
First of all came the season ending injury to leading sniper Benoit Doucet, caused in an unfortunate tumble with some officials following an altercation with Sam Zajac of Braehead. The good news to counter this was the return of ace playmaker Brock McBride... Alas just a week later it has been announced McBride is departing for Slovenija to play in the Austrian leagues for Lljubjana; a tough loss especially compounding the loss of Doucet.
The injury bug has bitten further and sees Robert Dowd - a top scorer - Daryll Lloyd - a key part of the Giants gritty forward play - and James Hutchinson all missing out for this weekend at least.
Add to this the 6 game suspension for Aaron Clarke - for his reaction to the loss in Sheffield while he just seemed to be rounding into form after a tough start and the next few weeks look like they could be a real test for the Belfast Giants, starting with McBride's final game in the teal white and red this Saturday against Dundee Stars.
We often say the Christmas period is crucial - this year it feels it is even more so. Now is the time for the rest of the team to stand up and battle and for the crowd to get involved and back those guys on the ice. It's going to be tough, but it can be done. Merry Christmas from KotG!
Aaron Kernohan
Live Scores
Last Game
- Sat 18 Feb
- vs Flyers, W 7-1
- Giants Goals: Pelle, Kuiper, Dowd, Peacock, Clarke, Rebek, Hoffman
- Flyers Goals: Gunn
League Standings
| P | TEAM | GP | W(OT) | L(OT) | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giants | 35 | 28(0) | 4(3) | 59 |
| 2 | Panthers | 35 | 25(0) | 8(2) | 52 |
| 3 | Steelers | 29 | 25(0) | 4(0) | 50 |
| 4 | Blaze | 34 | 22(0) | 12(0) | 44 |
| 5 | Devils | 33 | 18(0) | 8(7) | 43 |
| 6 | Clan | 32 | 19(0) | 12(1) | 39 |
| 7 | Capitals | 34 | 11(0) | 20(3) | 25 |
| 8 | Stingrays | 35 | 9(0) | 22(4) | 22 |
| 9 | Stars | 34 | 5(0) | 25(4) | 14 |
| 10 | Flyers | 31 | 4(0) | 23(4) | 12 |
Giants' Stat Leaders
| Points | Craig Peacock | 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 24 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 33 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 188 |