Giants 3, Devils 0

You can’t half notice the difference in the Giants team with a healthy goaltender between the pipes.  It’s gave the players in front of him a new lease of life and confidence that the goal behind them has a healthy protector.  Philippe DeRouville has been nothing short of spectacular in his short stint with the Giants so far picking up his second shutout and second man of the match in three games.  The top line of Jason Ruff, Ed Courtenay and Jeff Hutchins continued to link up to great effect, each scoring a goal and an assist with Hutchins goal coming short-handed giving him his 29th of the year.  Jason Ruff’s 25th came on the powerplay.

Since coming off the bench to play for his team, Courtenay has scored in each of his five games scoring three goals and six assists.  Curtis Huppe who was de-registered for six games will be due to return following tonights game in Cardiff leaving Ed to decided whether he returns to coaching from behind the bench or finds a way to continue playing.  It’s a hard debate for the fans also to decide as Ed has been spectacular.

DeRouville turned aside twenty shots to register the shutout as the Giants won their third straight for the first time since January 21st.  The team travel with the Devils back to Cardiff to play the second game in the home and home series tonight before returning to Belfast to play Newcastle on Friday night.

Giants-History.com 3 Stars:
1st Star: Ed Courtenay
2nd Star: Philippe DeRouville 
3rd Star: Jason Ruff

Category: Game Recaps (06-07) » » |

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