Belfast Giants enter new era

With Brock McBride now playing in the Austrian League, Benoit Doucet out for the season through an injury caused by the officials and Aaron Clarke still suspended. 2012 doesn’t look great for the Belfast Giants.

But wait just a minute; the Giants are still in first place in the Rapid Solicitor Elite League and top of their division in the Challenge Cup competition.

By luck or good fortune Belfast longest standing and most popular Captain, George Awada, came back to Belfast to study and get his degree. Still fit, George immediately accepted the role of injury reserve player but played so many games he’s now a full time winger and part-time centre for the Belfast outfit.

If that wasn’t strange enough yet another retiree in the form of Belfast’s favorite ice hockey son Mark Morrison step up to the plate to help the Giants get through the five games in just eleven days being played during the festive period

So with that bit of luck the Giants found a new way to win despite the suspension, injury and loss of star player to easily over come the equally short bench Edinburgh Capitals

Stephen Murphy, the Giants goalie, did his part by shutting out the Edinburgh Capitals with Darryl Lloyd step up his play by scoring his career first hat trick to help Belfast win 6-0 over the Capitals.

It turn out to be an comfortable victory for top of the charts Giants Darryl Lloyd led the scoring for Belfast with additional scores from Adam Keefe, George Awada and finally Jon Pelle. All this whilst Stephen Murphy posted his third shutout of the season.

Belfast’s fifth goal scored by Jon Pelle was their 900th regular season goal scored at The Odyssey Arena. The Giants face a back-to-back double-hitter against Braehead Clan. Away first then at home followed by Cardiff Devils in the Odyssey Arena all before the New Year.

Dust off your skates and call the Giants if you think you can make Doug Christiansen squad. They might just take you up in the offer.