Game one of the home and home series with the Nottingham Panthers is done and it is advantage Belfast heading to Nottingham tomorrow night. The Giants downed one of their biggest contenders for the league title 6-3 tonight in front of a loud Belfast crowd that got to see a high scoring physical game of hockey – a throwback to the Giants – Panthers games of old that will no doubt have stirred the memories of many. The Giants got two goals from Brits Craig Peacock and Colin Shields while skilled/tough guy Jeff Szwez was ejected from the game for cross-checking and fighting.

Szwez was cross-checked by Panther Corey Neilson as part of a ploy by the Panthers to wind Szwez up. It worked and Szwez retaliated by cross-checking Neilsen in what some are saying was the neck region. It put Neilsen down and coming to his rescue was Cameroon Mann who was quickly pummeled earning Szwez the ejection. Some will be concerned about Szwez’s discipline given the fact other teams are starting to target the Giants most dangerous player, but the Giants still won the game so it didn’t hurt them and the only one hurting in the morning might well be Neilson, and I sure hope that is the case.

With the game tomorrow night one can only hope to see the Giants get an early and solid lead allowing Szwez the opportunity to turn his attention on Neilsen. Of course the two points are key and chasing them rather than Panthers players first will be the main goal.

Szwez comes with a tough reputation so pushing the right buttons might put him off his game, but that is his style and it would hurt the Giants more if he was to change it. I remember in the 2003/04 season the Panthers using a similar tactic on Jason Ruff to get him thrown out of a game and it looks like they are going down that road again. But the Giants can back themselves up and while I’m okay with Szwez standing up for himself I’d like to see McMorrow get the right kind of ice time that might allow him to hunt down those trying to stir Szwez up.

But the two points are in the bag and a third one tomorrow or ideally a forth for the weekend would be an excellent outcome for the Giants regardless of how the rough stuff goes.

On the subject: Cameroon Mann, Corey Neilson, Fighting, Jeff Szwez, Nottingham Panthers | ALL SUBJECTS |

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