The Giants are going to need one hell of a big effort from those guys left with any kind of health on the roster to get them through the weekend with any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages of Challenge-Cup and the test couldn’t come any tougher. League leaders Coventry Blaze and ex-scoring champ Curtis Huppe are in town to face a Giants team without FIVE regular players, four of which are go-to import players. The irony being we could probably use Curtis more than ever yet some fans will still find reason to boo him no doubt.

With Todd Kelman replacing Trevor Johnson on a temp. basis and the Giants having one players (Gavalier) de-registered it means officially the Giants are short THREE players for tonights game.

The Giants website addressed the injury problems this week to let fans know exactly the situation . . .

ROMAN GAVALIER:
“Is scheduled for an MRI scan on Tuesday to determine whether or not surgery will be required on his injured knee. He has been out of action since the first weekend of the season and has not progressed despite an intensive rehab program. A full update on his status can be given after his scan results are in.”

TREVOR JOHNSON:
“Remains in a cast while his thumb that was repaired with surgery continues to heal. He will be out for at least another 2 weeks, hopefully returning to action for the weekend of November 16th.”

PAUL MORAN:
“Dislocated his shoulder in training on Friday when he fell awkwardly into the boards after taking a shot on net. This is a reoccurring problem with that shoulder that could require surgery to correct. He will see a shoulder specialist within the next week and we will know then exactly how long he will be out of commission.”

MARK DUTIAUME:
“Injured his shoulder in the second period of Saturday’s clash with the Manchester Phoenix. He was x-rayed after the match and is waiting for the films to be reviewed by a radiologist to make sure there is no fracture in his collarbone. We will update his status once we hear from the Giants Medical Staff regarding his x-rays.”

SCOTT CAMERON:
“Broken foot will keep him out of action for at least another couple of weeks. He will be re-examined this week to determine how the bone is healing and at that time a full update can be given on his possible return.”

Huppe Returnes

Remember Huppe? Of course you do, he was the most prolific goal scorer for the Giants team over the past three seasons before leaving the Giants under somewhat of a cloud to go play for Coventry. The way the team have been struggling in the early part of this season I wasn’t alone in calling for Killer to bury the hatchet with him and get him back here again next season. His goals at times have been desperately missed.

Still that’s all quiet irrelevant he is coming into Belfast tonight as a Blaze player and no doubt will feel the rath from certain quarters of the Giants support. Unfortunately the Giants have a bad history of ex-players coming back to haunt them. Anyone remember Jason Bowen with Ayr? I guess the good comparison there is that Bowen eventually came back to Belfast the following year.

Probable Giants line-up

Jamieson   Campbell    Courtenay
Lewis      Sutter      Awada
Christie               Morrison

     S.Johnson    Neumeier
     Kelman       Walton

             Lyle

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