Giants 3-2 win over the Devils serves two purposes

The Stena Line Belfast Giants are drawn against the Cardiff Devils in the semi finals of the Challenge Cup.  The first leg of the semi final will be played in Cardiff on Wednesday January 25th with the home leg doubling up with the league game against the Devils already scheduled for February 4th at the Odyssey Arena.

The Giants GM Todd Kelman recently stated. “The only date that suited our schedule that was available at the Odyssey Arena was February 1st, and with the Devils game already scheduled for 3 days later, I saw no point in playing an additional game at an already busy time of the season. We have played a lot of hockey short staffed and we doubled up the games last season and it worked for us.”

“We want the opportunity to play for silverware this season and the Challenge Cup is the first step.  The Devils are a great team and I am sure it is going to be a tough semi final series.  We are looking forward to this.”

Brave words from Belfast after dropping the home game against Braehead Clan on Tuesday in a devastating 1-4 defeat at the Odyssey Arena. The Giants had to bounce back to remain top of the Elite League and to have the right frame of mind when traveling to Cardiff for the first leg of the Challenge Cup Semis. Especially as Belfast have been so successful against the Devils in Cardiff this season

Gerard Adams Cardiff’s player coach knew the value of the possible moral boosting away victory as well as being on a five game winning streak themselves in which they hoped to continue. The Devil’s got off to a dream after Stuart MacRae put them in front with only 11 seconds on the clock. Despite getting a couple of power play opportunities the Devils were unable to add to that early strike and went in at the first break a goal ahead.

The Giants started to believe in themselves during the second period and were creating chances in the middle stanza.  The Giants Stephen Murphy and Devils Stevie Lyle were both weaving their own separate magic between the pipes for the respective teams. Neither were giving away easy chances with the Devils remained a goal in front until the last ninety seconds of the second when Craig Peacock netted to tie the score 1-1

It didn’t take long for the visitors to restore the lead with Scott Dobben tipping in a perfect goalmouth pass from Phil Hill with only 2.21 played in the third period. Four minutes later is when the Giants Craig Peacock replied scoring on a power play netting his second on the night to equalize at 2-2.

Late in the game with just over six minutes left of the clock Tom Dignard score the Giants second power play goal of the night, which turned out to be the game winner. Coach Doug Christiansen said after the game.

“That could prove the most important win for the Giants at the end of the season. Would I take leading the Elite League going into 2012? Of course I would! We are short benched and still looking for a premiere goal scorer after the departure of Brock McBride. Aaron Clarke has now finished his six game suspension. We are still banged up and boy did we ever need this win.

I wish every one a very happy and prosperous New Year and lets hope this 2011 year ending victory spurs us on to greater heights.” Ended Doug Christiansen