Giants still top yet find a way to lose
The Nottingham Panthers came, they saw, and then they conquered the Stena Line Belfast Giants 3-2 in a tense defensive battle.
The previous night the Giants cruised by Edinburgh 6-2 hardly breaking sweat with goals coming from five different sources and with Robert Dowd getting a pair.
New Giants signing Paul Deniset was injured and did not appear for the Panther’s clash followed by the very useful all-rounder Darryl Lloyd who was crashed to the boards in the third period just when the Giants appeared to be making a comeback.
However before that it was all Nottingham and especially “Kwall”, their goalie Craig Kowalski who was simply magnificent stopping Giants goal scoring attempts like they were annoying flies on a hot summer’s day.
Panthers scored first through Sami Ryhanen, their Finish goal ace after only sixty-six seconds played on the clock. Belfast got one back through Adam Keefe just under two minutes later but the next was the killer from Panthers David Clarke, with just two seconds left to play in the opening period on a powerplay.
The Giants never really looked like climbing out of the hole they had dug for themselves. Yes the Panthers had their backs to the wall, knowing they had to win to revive their Elite League title hopes. Belfast looked lethargic and with out any real purpose. There was plenty in the way of huffing and puffing but hardly any real total team grit.
Some players as always, played their hearts out thus emptying their tanks of energy and testosterone in front of a full to capacity crowd at the Odyssey Arena. But to be victorious in the top of the table clash, first versus second your squad has to play as one for sixty minutes. Belfast did not come close to achieving thi.
A rather scoreless second period looked promising to keep the game tight for a third period late charge from the Giants. Best laid plans of men and mice fell apart with a goal from the Panther’s Danny Meyers’ stick, which does not come that often.
So the second period ended 3-1 and no real home team winning option looked visible to the almost silent home crowd. The injury to Lloyd seemed to spark some renewed Giants interest in the game suddenly signaling the crowd to start cheering again. A late Craig Peacock goal made it 3-2 and it was game on again.
The Panthers’ Kowalski then turned on the style thwarting the Giants efforts leaving both their fans enthusiasm and Belfast’s endeavor stymied. Pulling Stephen Murphy from between the Giants goal for the last seconds of the game proved that it was not going to be Belfast’s night as the game ended 3-2.
Following the game Giants Coach Doug Christian stated, “In previous games that we have lost I’ve often stated I couldn’t complain as all our team played their hearts out and we lost. I can’t say that tonight. The latest two Giants injuries of Darryl Lloyd and Paul Denesit means the squad are seriously looking for an additional meaningful contributor to the team to fill the gap”.
The title race still is in their scope.
The Giants fly to Cardiff on Wednesday for the first leg of the Challenge Cup semi-finals against the Devils with the return leg on the 4th of February in the Odyssey Arena.
Can the Giants regroup before Wednesday and sign a new player in time. This is doubtful and only time will tell.
