Stingrays 7, Giants 2

It was 8-0 by the league leading Blaze six days ago; tonight it was 7-2 at the hands of last place Hull.  If my formula’s are correct then tomorrow night against mid-table Sheffield they should take us about 6-4?  Gosh a defeat like that right now actually sounds like a good result.  Who knows what’s going on with the Giants but at least tonight their physical side came out a little in frustration.  Awada was in the thick of things all night roughing it up and even shedding the mitts to win a fight - it’s the only thing we’re winning of late but with the ‘C’ on his chest I guess he had to stand up and he deserves some credit for it.  Skiehar from early reports also dropped the gloves near the end but there’s no report on that one yet.  As for our goal scorers well, answers on a postcard…

Once upon a time we where an offence first goal scoring team.  We’re still an offence first team, but not a goal scoring one.  The goals have dried up and the defense has loosened up.  Add that to the rumor that Minard is playing hurt and you have a recipe for disaster.  Defense is a major problem right now and it’s something I’ll probably post on separately at a later date but there’s no doubt that we have a talented group - Morin and Gavalier have been excellent, Kelman has been racking up the points from the blue-line most of the year and doing a good mentoring job with the much improved young Graeme Walton. 

But that’s the problem - there’s only four of them and the lack of depth at the back into the sixth month of the season is starting to tell.  Forget the goal scoring problems (we all know you’ll never win without goals), but right now tired legs seem to be a problem in ‘D’.  Oh and have I mentioned Minard?  If he’s hurt, and it seems like he has been for a while, then that will never help things.  Credit to him for sticking it out and being willing to go between the pipes.  If it’s a season long thing, maybe a replacement should have been looked for.  Maybe one was and not found.

So many questions, so few answers - just speculation.  The Giants locker-room has kept the door well and truly closed in recent weeks, especially with regards to team morale and injury updates.

We move on to Sheffield tomorrow to see what we can do.

Giants-History.com 3 stars:
1st Star: Jason Ruff - He scored, he cares
2nd Star: George Awada - He got physical to show some emotion
3rd Star: Shawn Skiehar - He fought.

Category: Game Recaps (06-07) » |

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