“When the cow is down, the butchers are plenty”

I’m not sure who said that, but I heard it for the first time about another hockey team somewhere else in the world at some point during our 16-game winning streak and for some reason I instantly thought of the Giants fans. I remember saying to someone, “I dread the moment this streak ends, someone or something is going to be a fall guy . . . There will be hell to pay. In Belfast nobody is satisfied”. A good thing or a bad thing aside, it is the bare facts.

The last week has kind of proved it to me. After our unfortunate defeat to the league Champions elect, Coventry Blaze, and a few subsequent defeats, I’ve most definitely confirmed to myself that we are indeed the most fickle fans in hockey (and in the NHL I’m a Philadelphia Flyers fan).

I remember a player telling me about five or six years ago that one day when the fans in Belfast get a real understanding of the game they wont always cheer the players off the ice. So this kind of support isn’t unhealthy, but have we taken it too far? I never thought I’d see things go from what resembled total harmony during a huge winning streak to panic in a matter of games.

Since last weekend alone the butchers have been sharpening their knives and all is suddenly not well among fans and now it also appears all is not well in the locker-room if you believe what the Belfast Telegraph reports. If anything though, it’s generated healthy discussion on the forum after a few months of peace and calm.

Coach Ed Courtenay wasted no time in blasting his players after their recent spate of defeats. He flew off to America for a week with his family and left behind a set of fans wondering what the hell is going on? Ed, who also confirmed he was leaving at the end of the season, took a shot at a number of his ‘big name players’ for underachieving and showing a lack of leadership.

“As of late some guys are just terrible. I won’t do it, I haven’t done it in three years, but I can name two who wouldn’t be here next year if I was here . . . It’s not my job in the summer, it’s whoever is taking over . . . Guys I expect to lead aren’t leading . . . ”
– Ed Courtenay in the Belfast Telegraph, February 9, 2008

According to the Telegraph article, “Courtenay steered away from criticising individuals, but he did absolve Trevor Johnson, Stevie Lyle, Scott Cameron, Carlyle Lewis, Mark Dutiaume and all of his British players from any blame.”

That article raises a bunch of questions. Who are the players he is not happy with? Who is going to replace him as coach? And, most importantly, what is the state of the locker-room?

Leaving players off the list of those he is content with can work one of two ways: It either gives them the kick they need to light up their seasons in the run into the playoffs, or it isolates a few and splits the locker-room. It’s a risky ball game to play, especially at such an important time of the season. Of course, not all those left off the list are in Ed’s dog-house, he couldn’t name them all but I get a feeling those that are left off the list and that are under performing know who they are.

This is not a criticism of Ed Courtenay – far from it – It’s clear to see were his frustration has come from. The man has worked magic this season on and off the ice and I would be a fool to suddenly lose the faith in him now. I just hope that things work out and that we have a trophy left in us yet. The next few games are going to be very interesting to watch indeed.

With Ed leaving in the summer he is a matter of weeks away from cementing his place in Giants history, not only as a player but also as a coach. With a league title already won a few years back, he is a playoff trophy away from matching the domestic achievements of Dave Whistle.

Todd Kelman yesterday urged fans not to panic, and in theory to climb back onto the bandwagon and throw away the butcher’s knives, that Ed will see out the season and that the professional in him will have him see out the season in the best possible form. I never doubted that from Ed for one minute. I just hope we can find our form again and make a solid run at the playoffs.

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In Todd’s Telegraph article he also went on to confirm that the search for a new coach is already underway with the intentions of hiring a replacement for Ed as soon as the season finished.

I’ve got to give Ed credit. He has given the Giants plenty of notice and for once we may even be hiring a new man with more than just a month to go before the start of a new season! With a new man in place post-playoffs he will indeed be able to work with his GM in recruiting the best possible team for a new season.

Category: Stories » » Ed Courtenay, Panic at the Odyssey, Todd Kelman |

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