EIHL Preview: Blaze at Giants – 14 September 2013
With 12 goals for and only 2 against from the opening week of the season, the Belfast Giants can enter Saturday’s match up against the Coventry Blaze with justifiable confidence. The maximum points from two difficult encounters against the Capitals and the Devils were the display of ruthlessness and physicality Belfast fans had been hoping for upon the announcement of Paul Adey as coach.
The scoring prowess of Jeffery Szwez once again raised its head and signaled to the EIHL the intention to once again make his mark. Szwez scoring the GWG’s in both of last weekend’s encounters. While at the back the combination of Elfring and Brookwell is already paying off dividends, looking like old friends they were able to lock the shop and provide a solid defence of Stephen Murphy’s goal, while also allowing support going forward.
This Saturday is Belfast’s only game of the weekend, as opposed to Coventry, as such they can pour all their efforts into obtaining the victory, something they have over the visitors who will be mindful of their game the following night.
Conversely, Coventry are a team lacking in confidence after a disappointing opening weekend, losing to both Sheffield and Dundee 4-2 and 3-1 respectively. A defeat to one of the title favourites Sheffield may well have been expected, but the loss to the Stars away from home will have hurt the Blaze organisation.
As such they have responded in signing 6’2” American defenseman Michael Devin to replace Mike Egener. Devin played with Adam Henrich in Germany last season and comes highly recommend by the Blaze forward. Whilst speaking of Henrich, he is expected to be back in the line up after missing the Dundee game last weekend.
This will allow Henrich to resume his blossoming partnership with Ryan Ginand who has very quickly become a Blaze fan favourite. His direct style has proved to be a welcome change from some of the excessive passing that has been witnessed in the past couple of season.
Coventry will have to be at their absolute best in order to take a victory in the Odyssey where they traditionally have struggled. However, even if one side is not at the races, last season proved that these games do have quite the spark. Expect Benn Olsen to renew his war with Adam Keefe, but do not underestimate how Rob Sandrock also gets under the Coventry tough-guys skin. Adam Harvey is likely to fulfil a similar role to the Giants’ Darryl Lloyd, creating an interesting matchup.
If these games are anything like last seasons, the Odyssey crowd are in for a treat.
Contributor: Stuart Coles.