Phillips was a must to re-sign. 21-years of age and playing like a savvy veteran on the blue-line the kid is only going to get better on top of what was an excellent first season in Belfast.

It’s only natural that Thornton is taking care of the British signings first. Import players in certain cases haven’t even finished their seasons depending on were they play while others will be waiting until all teams throughout North American and Europe open up their free-agency signings to see what deal they can get before committing to the Giants. Only when an import has accessed the best offers on his table will he sign on.

The same goes for the Giants management. They will look for the best possible players on the market.

It’s going to be a busy summer but so far so good with the British players signing on.

Huppe is back

Back in the UK that is and back with the Hull Stingrays. The ex-Giants sniper had retired from the game last year but has been coaxed back to play it seems. Certainly a talented players and arguably the best pure goal scorer the Giants ever had. It’ll be good to see him play again.

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

In their first road game of the season, the Giants fell to their first defeat of the season, Sunday night against rivals Coventry.  Against a team many suspect will be the Giants closest rivals for the title this season Belfast threw away a two goal lead when 2-0 ahead for the second time in two nights, but unlike Nottingham last night, Coventry went on to win the game…

Box Score »

Penalties were coming thick and fast in the early stages of the game for both teams with the first three goals (two for Belfast, one for Coventry) coming on the power-play.  The game then settled down in terms of whistle blowing and no penalties where called until mid-way through the second period, although the goals continued to flow with 5 goals being scored in a six minute period during the second period.

By the time the third period started the Blaze had a 5-4 lead with the Giants goals having come through Jason Ruff, Todd Kelman and two for Curtis Huppe.  The third period seen the penalties called again as 8 Blaze and 7 Giants players made the trip to the sin-bin in the final frame alone.

The most controversial moment came in the third period when Mark Dutiaume was sent clear on goal with the chance to tie the game.  He fired the puck home before crashing into the net.  A perfectly good goal?  Well not in the eyes of referee Mike Hicks who instead of awarding the goal awarded the Giants a penalty shot.  Unfortunately however Dutes couldn’t repeat his penalty shot effort from the shootout last night and the game remained at 5-4 to Coventry.

The Giants penalty kill got another hard working, but was on fire yet again killing 11 of 13 attempts for the Blaze with their final PP goal coming in the final minutes when Tait scored to seal the Blaze victory.

That just left the rough stuff as new boy’s J.P. Morin of Belfast and Stewart of Coventry dropped the mitts and each received 5 + a game with just 12 seconds remaining.  Reports suggest Morin had the edge in the fight.  Welcome to the Elite League J.P. – you should fit right in!!

So two points from a possible four on the opening weekend in games full of power plays and penalty kills.  The five on five play for what their was of it this weekend certainly gave Giants fans belief that when teams are even they can outplay anyone else.

The team now have the midweek together to practice and get ready for yet another Saturday home game, Sunday road game.  It all faces-off again at 7pm on Saturday night when Sheffield come to town under new coach and ex-Giants star Dave Matsos.

Box Score »

Giants-History.com 3 stars:
1st Star: Curtis Huppe
2nd Star: Jason Ruff
3rd Star: Todd Kelman