Hockeyfest in Belfast

by Seanna Murdock

***DISCLAIMER: this blog will not be Panthers friendly, if you are a Panthers fan or a Neilson fan (and why would you be?) then you probably aren't going to like what I have to say.

Saturday 27th August 2011

Hockeyfest @ the Odyssey

Belfast Giants v Nottingham Panthers

It was finally hockey time, time to see the new team in action, time to feel that unique hockey atmosphere that has been missing for five months. Grabbing my Peterborough Phantoms play-off jersey and a sharpie I headed to the Odyssey pavilion for the meet and greet. We picked up our shiny, black new season tickets and picked up our free copy of the Giants rag and waited for the new team to come out. The new guys were all smaller than the Giants of the past but they were all very approachable and there was a good vibe in the air, it was a brand spanking new side that hopefully would live up to the stats and take a well deserved title.

The most surreal moment of the meet and greet was having Dowdy comparing tattoos with me and recommending him an artist in Belfast. I also reunited Peaks with his Play-off winning jersey and got him to sign it, Peter also showed his hidden talent by conversing with Doucet in French. It was a good morning and it was also fun discussing my blog with our new superstar Jon Pelle. The general consensus was that the new team were a united front and that they had been training hard and the players that were new to the Elite League were aware of the bitter rivalry between Belfast and Nottingham. It was also reassuring that the new players were vocally looking forward to 'getting' Neilson. That just put a big smile on my face.

The pre match talk with Todd Kelman in Rockies contained the same 'What about the powerplay?' questions, yawn. I thought the power play rants wouldn't start until at least the first match of the regular season had been played but guess I was wrong there. The third jerseys also leave a lot to be desired; a lazy design with back to front insignias-no thanks.

After a few drinks we headed into the arena to take our seats for the first match of the season. It was refreshing not to have the piercing nonsense spouting over the sound system, but no doubt Kirstie 'I'm getting married' McMurray will be there next week. Doug was touting the Giants as being fast, faster than any team he'd coached before, even doing drills the squad were lightening fast. On paper we're a shoe in for the league, I certainly don't fear the Chavs, sure they had a bad season last year but I can't see much improvement with a loss and a draw against the 'Hell' Stingrays, I don't rate the Squealers minus O'Connor, Dowd and Tait, the Devils have no Weller or Pelle, and over the Hockey fest we were shown what the Panthers were like minus Galbraith, sure they got Benny but a team like the Panthers will never flourish or win (convincingly and deservedly) under bad leadership.

The Panthers were minus K-Wall, resting their hopes on Greener and their third string goalie, and credit where it was due Greener played a complete blinder, he kept the score lower than it could have been. Benny got the usual welcome, boos, don't get me wrong I booed too, as a matter of principle, Benny couldn't have gone to a more contentious team. There were big hits from the offset with the Giants finishing their checks and showing that they can't be pushed around.

Neilson was inexplicably on the ice for about 50 of the 60 minutes, trying to, I dunno pick up some glory, get an assist, generally look like he's doing something. However the closest he got to scoring was a shot two foot wide of the goal, hmmmm.....really good idea not to get rid of him! No doubt the Panthers fans will be calling for his head, he'll scrape a win, and will somehow save his job again, and the Panthers will once again not win the league, well why change the habit of a lifetime.

McBride showed his guts and determination early doors, despite his height he stood up to Myers, along with Doucet he set Keefe up for a brilliant debut goal, once again, as with Hoff last season, our tough guy shone through immediately as a top scorer. The scoring continued in the second with Keefe scoring his second goal of the game assisted by Doucet and LeBlanc. The atmosphere was lifted and it was looking good that the Giants were a dominant force and looked like a well gelled team ready to take on anything that was thrown at them.

Typical Panthers stole a goal, the usually classy David 'Dave Clarke 5' Clarke knocked Murph onto his back, skated over the top of him and then netted a pass from Champagne. The Giants were the most convincing team on the night but with an assist from Hicks their fortunes would be much different the following night....

Sunday 28th August 2011

HockeyFest@the Odyssey

Belfast Giants v Nottingham Panthers

Slightly suffering after a beer or five on Saturday night post game I grabbed a coffee from the kiosk and headed to the bridge discussing the new team with Pete, my favourite company and the best hockey mind that I've ever met. There was discussion on the feisty nature of McBride, Lloyd and the disappearance of Pelle mid way through the first period on the Saturday. Taking our seats we awaited the arrival of the teams onto the ice. Once again it was a pleasant experience to have Todd doing all the announcements. I love double headers, especially against the Panthers, its fun to get angry, grit your teeth and really hate the players, especially when they play dirty the night before.

The Panthers hit the ice, Neilson out last following Benedict, both getting a huge amount of heat. Greener was once again in goal for them, he did a better job than K-Wall could have done. There was an air of anticipation and also expectation of dirty tactics, the Panthers M.O. involved dirty play after a loss. There was certainly nothing friendly about this friendly, I think the players were fully expecting cheating and dirty hits-they weren't disappointed.

There was a minor scuffle in the first period, with Dowd, Fox and Keefe taking two minute roughing penalties, there was definitely a fair bit of tension in the air. Keefe well and truly made his stamp, he wasn't just a one dimensional tough guy, he had so much more to offer than the likes of Campbell and Lepine, Sgroi or McMorrow. Sure its easy to Youtube his fights and think that he's some kind of fighter who can't actually play, but he has finesse on the ice and the fans were able to see this over the weekend.

Steevie Lee scored first, a player that I've never rated as anything other than an agitator unable to back up actions. The Giants answered with a goal going five hole on Greener, he sat on the puck assuming he saved it, it rolled on through his legs, over the line, the red light went on, the air horn went off, but it was waved off....thanks Hicks, you're off to stellar form this season. The crowd were livid, the players confused, Greener relieved but Neilson had a big sickening, gloating grin across his face.

After earlier taking a hit to his knee like a bullet Myers, done with the theatrics set Clarke up for the second goal of the night. It looked bleak, its never nice to see the Panthers bettering anybody. Dowd took advantage of a 4 on 3 powerplay just before the end of the second to at leat put the home team on the board. It was fun to see Myers, Benny and Neilson getting the brunt of the Giant's frustrations. Looking as all was not lost Clarke belted the puck five hole past Murph and the second period ended 3-1.

It was looking as if all was lost, the net minders were replaced half way through the third, Dicko did a good job for the Giants conceding only one goal, Champagne hit the puck full pelt over his blocker giving the visitors a score of 4-1. Rebek not willing to let the Panthers have the last word knocked the puck past the Panther's back up and tied the aggregate score for the weekend at 5-4 to the Panthers.

All in all it was an enjoyable weekend, its always good to have bitter rivals at the Odyssey, it adds an extra element to the game. Looking forward to the Squealers next week so we can try out our new side for real. I was seriously impressed by LeBlanc, Lloyd, Rebek and McBride, already Keefe is a massive character who will greatly entertain this season.

Also as a side note; when the DJ played Adele as Neilson was skating to the penalty box I got a mental flashback to a scene from the best hockey movie of all time Slapshot. When Reg Dunlop threatens the Organist for playing Lady of Spain because it had no place in hockey....well ballads are really a no, no. It was quite contrived and looked quite amateurish, maybe have a look at the playlist?

Coming soon, a proper interview with Jon Pelle.

Follow Seanna on Twitter: @TealGirl6

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Cardiff	0-3	Basingstoke
12th March 2006 19:00
Coventry	5-3	Sheffield
12th March 2006 19:00
Edinburgh	4-5	Belfast
12th March 2006 19:00
Newcastle	1-4	Nottingham
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Basingstoke	4-4	Cardiff
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Newcastle	2-4	Coventry
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	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

Chelmsford	5-8	Telford
19th March 2006 19:00
Hull	5-1	Wightlink
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Romford	4-1	Milton Keynes
19th March 2006 19:00
Slough	5-2	Swindon
19th March 2006 19:00
Solihull	3-7	Bracknell
19th March 2006 19:00
Sheffield	1-1	Guildford
19th March 2006 19:00

	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

	Club	GP	W	L	OL	GF	GA	Pts

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