EIHL Round-Up: Belfast see off Scottish Foes
The Challenge Cup was the real focus in the Odyssey Arena as two Gardner Conference sides arrived in Belfast Lough to take on the Giants. League points were also at stake when Dundee took to the ice. Leading the league against all odds, Jeff Hutchins’ team undertook their first game of the season outside of Scotland and, despite putting up a spirited performance, were finally denied any points in a game.
For Paul Adey’s team, the depth of scoring became instantly apparent. Two goals from the Captain, Adam Keefe, and a hat-trick bagged by Kevin Saurette were more than enough to settle the match. Dundee’s own goals coming from Bill Bagron and a brace from Jerry Pollastrone gave the visitors hope, especially when they pulled the game back to within a goal, however the Giants, stinging from a 5-0 defeat to Coventry the previous weekend, were out to prove a point.
The match-up was punctuated by incidents late in the game involving both Giants goal scorers. Firstly Adam Keefe was kicked from the game for a check to the head on Mike Wirril, an act that has also witnessed the Giants captain receive a subsequent three match ban thanks to a review requested by Dundee. A massive loss both in physicality and in points scoring, Keefe has five goals in only four games since the opening weekend.
Late on in the match Kevin Saurette was pointed to the penalty box after retaliating to a Tyler Dowzak boarding call that put Giants Chris Higgins face down on the ice. Despite the game was sealed by that point, it was a strong indication in the comradery in this Belfast side.
Saturday night was an all Cup affair when Ryan Finnerty, in his first season north of Hadrian’s Wall, brought his Braehead Clan to the ice for what became a fantastically exciting match.
Jeff Mason opened the scoring for the Giants, finishing from the slot on one knee a the puck flew by Kyle Jones in the Braehead net. Matt Towe, returning to Belfast in an opposition shirt for the first time since his tenure at the club, leveled proceedings early in the second period.
Ed McGrane gave the visitors the lead mid-way through the game, Finnerty’s side taking advantage of a Giants team who were maybe lacking in physical play due to the missing Adam Keefe. Yet Colin Shields brought the Odyssey back to life, two goals in the second period put to bed worries of a misfiring top line and regained the lead for the home side.
Yet that lead lasted all of 19 seconds when a comedy of defensive errors by the Giants allowed Nathan Moon to put the score at 3-3 in the dying seconds of the second stanza.
Moon was to turn provider early in the final session, McGrane netting his second and driving the Braehead Clan toward victory before an exhilarating climax to the game took place.
With Shane Lust sitting a two minute minor penalty for hooking, the Belfast Giants penalty unit went to work, and a hat-trick goal by Colin Shields brought the Odyssey to their feel. Scores were tied with only 99 seconds remaining. The Giants tails were up, a tie in this Cup match-up was not acceptable, they wanted a win.
While Colin Shields will grab the plaudits for his hat-trick, the hero of the evening will remain as Chris Higgins. As the seconds ticked down the 5 foot 11 inch right winger took the puck out of the corner, two opposition players bearing down on him, he was able to flick the puck from between the defenseman’s legs, before bring it from behind the goal line and inline with the net. His shot went across the crease and bounced off Kyle Jones’ knee, directing it 90 degrees toward goal and as the puck trickled over the line the clock stopped at 6.1 seconds. The score 5-4 to the Belfast Giants and the points well and truly remaining in the Odyssey Arena.
A fantastic conclusion to a fantastic end to end game between to very well matched sides. Paul Adey was happy in his team, goals from all three lines across two games further indication of the balance in the side.
The Giants travel to the NIC next week for probably their sternest test yet. Paul Adey walks into an arena where his name and number hang from the rafters as the Giants take on Nottingham before traveling up the M19 to face the Hull Stingrays.