Belfast made it two wins in two games over the weekend when they hammered a below par Newcastle Vipers team 6-1. A game which was televised on live pay per view internet TV allowed Giants fans to tune into their teams game away from home. The Giants put on a fine display and two goals from Marc Levers and George Awada helped the Giants to the 4 points weekend.

At first though the game looked like it might go the way of the Vipers when they took the lead after only 30 seconds. But it only served as a wake up call for the Giants as they poured in the goals over the next 59 minutes. Third line winger Marc Levers and his line mates Dairmuid Kelly and Mark Morrison, along with British defenders Leigh Jamieson and Graeme Walton looked dangerous all night and it was to no surprise that after just 12 minutes they had made it 2-1 when Levers scored two goals and all by Walton picked up an assist on one of the two goals.

The Giants got another one through high flying George Awada just before the period break but the second period did not pick up where the first left off as both teams kept the defence tight and the puck away from the net, though it must be said Newcastle did have some luck as the Giants ran not one, not two, not even three, but four shots off the posts and cross-bar.

Finally they did score when the game was 4 on 4 and the Vipers where serving a delayed penalty that never got to happen when Curtis Huppe was on the end of a Todd Kelman pass to make it 4-1 and baring a miracle, end the game for the Vipers.

The third period was a procession. There was no grit or attempt at a fight back by the Vipers and none of their tough guys, like ex-Giant Paul Ferone, stood up to try inspire his team or the quiet crowd by taking on hard man Giants enforcer Mel Angelstad.

Instead Mel’s fists had the night off and it was his passing that made the score sheet when he fed Curtis Huppe who found George Awada for his second of the night and his 20th goal of the season. Curtis Bowen then rapped the game up 7 minutes later when he scored his 15th of the season and gave the Giants an easy 6-1 win to take back to Belfast that will keep them top.

It was an all round great weekend for the Giants who avoided any stumbling blocks in their charge for the Elite League title.

Newcastle Vipers 1-6 Belfast Giants

Vipers: Trumbley 0:30.
Giants: Levers 9:07, Levers 12:32, Awada 17:16, Huppe 36:15, Awada 48:08, C.Bowen 55:56.

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

Kelman – Gavalier
Angelstad – J.Bowen
Jamieson – Walton

Captain George Awada is back in town for a third season with the Giants along with Marc Levers. Both where brought in three years ago by Tony Hand and both today have re-signed for another year under Ed Courtenay. Awada who captained the team to the league title last year will likely go into his second season as captain, only the second man to captain the Giants in back to back seasons, the other being Jeff Hoad. Marc Levers finished off an excellent season where he seen a lot of time playing in the second line center spot and no doubt will see even more ice time this coming season.

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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