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Post Christmas lethargy for Giants?
The turkey population had dramatically decreased over the Christmas period and the general lethargy that follows the feasting and party season was apparent in the sluggish play of both teams.
The Belfast Giants were playing very defensively, I know I will face criticism for this statement (as I always do, but funnily enough I don't really care) as there was four goals scored past them, but the trapment style of hockey played by my beloved New Jersey Devils (insert Kovalchuk joke here) didn't really work for the Giants on Sunday past. The Giants power play failed on Sunday, not because they weren't playing well, its the fact that the Clan's penalty kill was awesome. The Giants didn't play badly, rather both teams were lethargic and J.F. Perras had a fantastic match. There were some very hard hits from both sides and on the night the Clan deserved the win more.
Both teams received an impressive welcome onto the ice, I clutched my lukewarm, substandard 'coffee' as I tried to conserve as much heat as I could, snuggled up in my Giants hoody and my Walsh Gardiner Cup jersey. The small following that braved the unpredictable travel conditions did their team proud, they sang loud over the almost silent giants fans and couldn't have been more excited to break the Giants winning streak at the Odyssey. After seven minutes Brendan Cook put the Clan on the score board and begun their victorious game in style. There were power play opportunities that couldn't be capitalised upon and once again the Clan found the back of the net, this time courtesy of Haywood. The first period ended with the Clan two goals up and with the psychological advantage. Not even the presence of the newly recovered Benny and Garside could make the vital difference.
The second period was uneventful, with several minor penalties for Belfast allowing power play opportunities that Krestanovich converted into the Clan's third goal. The home side were getting frustrated and the crowd were getting restless- what's new there?- the buzzer sounded and we were left with twenty minutes to pull it back. So the third began with great expectations and greater disappointment.
Christiansen must have had a hell of a pep talk in the dressing room going into the third at 42 minutes Shieldsy hit a lazer over Perras' left arm and put the home side back in the running. Shields waited for three more minutes to score another which I almost missed due to the weak bladder of the guy in front of us- maybe they should implement that rule where you have to remain seated while the puck is in play. It wasn't enough, too little too late and all those worn out clichés that mean that a comeback came up too short. Noel at 53 minutes cemented the Clan's victory and put them 4-2 up with the final score. The first match of the Christmas package ended less than ideally but as I'm writing this on Monday and I seem to be referencing the big book of clichés "Tomorrow is another day...." Lets crush the Devils. BGFL!
NB. I would like to offer my condolances to Belfast Giants #33 Mike Hoffman in the untimely death of his mother especially at Christmas it must be an extremely difficult time for his whole family, I'm sure that all the Belfast followers would join me in wishing him all the best.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
