It's Business Time!

With fewer than 20 games left in the season, the race for the EIHL title is slowly approaching its’ endgame. This season, like many before, once again has the potential to go right to the wire as the Belfast Giants and the Sheffield Steelers emerge along side the Nottingham Panthers as the main contenders for the season’s most prestigious prize.

As January winds to a close the Giants stand on top of the pile, however many are claiming this to be a false position given the games-in-hand held by those in South Yorkshire. The defending champions, the Sheffield Steelers, have dropped very few points and retain the potential to pass the Giants should the forthcoming games between the two sides fall their way.

Belfast, despite their injury and personnel problems over the last few months, have retained top spot in the face of great pressure. Last season Doug Christiansen’s side fell short by a mere point and many highlighted a poor Christmas period of results as one of the driving reasons behind a much heralded Giants side not housing any silverware when the curtain fell.

This season’s team, however, has maintained a good Christmas record and held their league leading spot. They once again face the Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final with an opportunity to face Nottingham in the final and avenge their cup final defeat of 12 months ago.

Nottingham have begun to falter slightly in their chase for the title, but in an attempt to strengthen their ranks, brought the return of Sean McAslan, a forward who in seasons past has caused Giants defences no end of hardship. Sheffield have also attempted to sure up their team, former Newcastle Viper Nick Duff brought in to hold the back lines.

The Giants themselves have tried to replace the loss of Benoit Doucet, to injury, and Brock McBride, to Austria, by bringing back a former player of their own. Paul Deniset was a revelation during his first stint in teal, notably scoring 3 hat tricks in 3 trips to Altrincham Ice Rink against the Manchester Phoenix. But the Canadian centre will be looked upon by fans as a means to creative play. Those who remember his first time on Odyssey ice will hope he has more of the same to offer.

It could be argued that of the final run of games, there are 8 specific match ups that stand out for the Giants in the hunt for the league title. 4 games against the Nottingham Panthers (2 home, 2 away), including the final game of the league season at the Odyssey Arena and, more crucially, 4 games against the Sheffield Steelers (2 home, 2 away).

With a double header away to the Nottingham Panthers and a double header over the St Patrick’s Day weekend at home to the Sheffield Steelers all eyes will be on these games in the race for that top spot of the league. An explosive St Patrick’s Day weekend could set up a magnificent final game in the Odyssey Arena where the Giants will face the Panthers. But to reach that point Doug Christiansen must maintain their winning run of form.

And as the chasing pack begin to come closer, the Giants must stand strong.

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