Giants still top league in early January
Since Brock McBride and Benoit Doucet left the Giants line up both for differing reasons Belfast has looked for a dedicated goal scorer.
Coach Doug Christiansen stated Jeff Szwez will not be returning to the Giants but he hoped before the double hitter next weekend against the Coventry Blaze that Belfast would have a new known sharp shooter in a Giants shirt.
Well the way the team has taken up the slack following the departure of the two goal scorers has pleased Christiansen. Icing the last two remaining contests against Dundee Stars this week Belfast had seven different scorers.
Away in Dundee in the 4-1 Giants win Robert Dowd netted two goals and he added to that total in Saturday nights home encounter with a further goal plus an assist rewarding the young English star with a New Years goal bonanza.
Defenseman turn forward goal ace Graeme Walton got a goal in each encounter and joining him on the score sheet Saturday were Dignard, Rebek, Darryl Lloyd and Jeff Mason. Dundee Stars always play tough against the Giants but with their diminished bench they tire in the third period. Giants have played the Stars six times this season and have won every encounter.
The Belfast outfit remain top of the Elite League followed closely by Nottingham Panthers plus the hard charging Sheffield team in third place. If the Steelers won their five games in hand over Belfast that would place them three points clear on the top of the Giants and the League table.
However, the saving grace for Belfast is they have four games against the Steelers left to play. Two at home plus another two away to Sheffield before the close of the season. Further good news for the Giants was received with Doug Christiansen being rewarded with the role of assistant coach to former Giants head coach Tony Hand for the GB Team.
