It’s the end of an era.

It’s one of them days you hope never comes along but you know will eventually arrive.  Yesterday, Jason Bowen, one of the last remaining original Giants players called it a day on his career.

It was a career that spanned from the junior leagues in Western Canada all the way up to the NHL via a first round draft pick with Philadelphia and eventually all the way here to Belfast where he played for 5 of the past 6 seasons.

He leaves only Todd Kelman now as the last remaining Giant from their first season back in 2000.

In the five of six seasons Bowsey played in Belfast (missing just one season in 02-03) the big man played 261 games for the team (good for 4th all-time), scoring 30 goals and 50 assists while picking up 627 penalty minutes (good for 2nd all-time).  It’s not the numbers however that he will be remembered for but more the big hits, the big games, and the entertainment value he brought to the game..  It’s what made him a fan favourite.

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Diarmuid Scored his first ever professional goal and his first of the season for the Belfast Giants as they came back to force a tie and take home a point against the Basingstoke Bison. Kelly scored the first goal of the game on the power-play before Belfast threw away three goals in quick succession.

They rallied in the third period however with a goal from Awada and then a tying goal from Jason Bowen. Kelly also picked up an assist on the night as he earned his first man of the match.

They rallied in the third period however with a goal from Awada and then a tying goal from Jason Bowen. Kelly also picked up an assist on the night as he earned his first man of the match.

Although the Giants out shot the Bison by 46 shots to 23 they could not muster anymore than three goals and spend the last half of the game trying to pull back a two goal deficit. The first period was tight with the Giants out shooting the Bison by 11-8 but a Massive 20 shots in he second period alone by Belfast could only see them grab one goal and that was on the power-play by Diarmuid Kelly.

Although the Giants out shot the Bison by 46 shots to 23 they could not muster anymore than three goals and spend the last half of the game trying to pull back a two goal deficit. The first period was tight with the Giants out shooting the Bison by 11-8 but a Massive 20 shots in he second period alone by Belfast could only see them grab one goal and that was on the power-play by Diarmuid Kelly.

Then three goals in a five and a half minute spell by the Bison put the Giants against the wall but credit to them they kept at it and kept raining in the shots and it paid off in the third period when a goal by George Awada and then a first of the season by big Jason Bowen assisted on by Kelly gave the Giants some hope for overtime.

Then three goals in a five and a half minute spell by the Bison put the Giants against the wall but credit to them they kept at it and kept raining in the shots and it paid off in the third period when a goal by George Awada and then a first of the season by big Jason Bowen assisted on by Kelly gave the Giants some hope for overtime.

It wasn’t to be and the points where split. Overall this weekend it will be seen as two points dropped against London and Basingstoke in total more so than two points gained. But the positives to take out of the weekend has got to be Diarmuid picking up his first goal and man of the match after a fine display on the top line with Curtis Bowen and George Awada.

Basingstoke Bison 3-3 Belfast Giants

Bison: Ford 26:54, Sheppard 27:37, Maltby 32:37.
Giants: Kelly (pp) 21:19, Awada 49:42, J.Bowen 55:24.

Lines:
Huppe – Hand – Nasval
Kelly – C.Bowen – Awada
Morrison – Walton – Levers

J.Bowen – Johnson
Angelstad – Gavalier

Tony Hand has been busy over the last few weeks in building the Giants squad with the signings of some new players and the return of some old faces.

Fan favourites Jason Bowen and Shane Johnson where quick to sign up for another season and where followed by the youngest player on the Giants roster last season Leigh Jamieson.

New players coming in are Curtis Huppe and Roman Gavalier as well as familiar names with the signings of ex-Panthers forward Marc Levers and Manchester Phoenix captain George Awada.

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Giants fans will be delighted to hear that Rob Stewart is in talks and close to striking a deal that will see Jason Bowen return to the Odyssey after a year away. Jason Bowen who was in the Giants first season line up as well as the Championship winning team left last year for the Scottish Eagles when he wasn’t signed up by Dave Whistle. When the Eagles folded Jason went to Guildford Flames of the BNL but has turned down his option to sign on there for another year as he wants to return to play hockey in Belfast.

Jason Bowen the ex-NHLer for the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers was drafted in the first round number overall by the Flyers in the 1993 entry draft. He spent a few years as a fringe player for the Flyers before moving to Edmonton where he played a few games for them and in the AHL. Jason then moved to Northern Ireland to join the new Belfast Giants team where he spent 2 years winning a championship. After short spells at the Scottish Eagles and Guildford Flames last season, Jason looks set to make his return to the Giants line-up.

Bowsey is a fan favourite and is recognised for his leadership and huge physical presence on the ice and the devastating hits he throws. He was recently married to a local girl which will see him qualify for a British Passport.