An article I put together for KotG

These past few days five years ago, the Belfast Giants went on their one and only competitive trip into mainland Europe. For those of us that were there the memories will last a lifetime and the weekend still ranks as one of the greatest moments in the teams’ history. Fewer events have captured the imagination of Belfast Giants fans than that Continental Cup run of 2002-2003 and never again since have we seen such a quality team wear the red, white, teal and Finn McCool crest of the Giants jersey.

As this weekend marks the closest weekend to that trip exactly five years ago, I found it only fitting to look back through the haze of Giants memories to that weekend - The pinnacle weekend of our organisation.

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On this day one years ago (2006) the Giants where named League champions for the 2nd time in their six year history.  Newcastle Vipers failed to beat Edinburgh handing the Giants the championship with two games to spare.  It was the first time they had won the title under the Elite League format.

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Bit late on this one, but its five years to the day yesterday that the Giants lifted their first league title back in the 2001-2002 season.  Jeff Hoad was the captain and the Giants boasted the best forward line in the league of Ruff - Riehl - Berens.  The following season would be the last time a team would lift the Superleague crown - the league was disbanded and opened up as the new Elite league that continues to run today.

Also three years to the day yesterday Gareth Martin became the first Northern Ireland born player to score a goal at the Odyssey arena for the Giants when he scored during the 7-1 win over the London Racers.

On this day four years ago David Matsos scores the opening goal at 1:08 into the first periodof a 2-2 tie with the London Knights making it the 500th goal in Giants history.  The Matsos goal is assisted by Ryan Kuwabara and Robby Sandrock. 

Dave Matsos played two years for the Giants and the 02-03 season was the second one.  He went on to spend a year in Bracknell, two in Cardiff before taking up the coaching roll with the Sheffield Steelers this season after his career was cut short due to serious back injuries.  He continues in his roll as Steelers coach to this day.

On this day seven years ago Colin Ward scored the first hat trick in Giants history.  It wasn’t enough to win the game however as the Giants went down 5-3 against Cardiff Devils in Cardiff.  Wardy would go on to play four full seasons in Belfast and that hat trick was just three of 14 goals the Canadian winger scored that season.

On this day in 2005 the Theo Fleury finally made his first appearance in a Giants uniform.  After months of waiting for the fans the little big man showed up to make the wait well worth it in an 11-2 drubbing of the Edinburgh Capitals in which Theo scored 3 goals, 4 assists and got in a fight.  It was the perfect debut and paved the way for one of the most exciting and controversial players ever to play in Belfast - certainly the most talented. 

At the time he was still not in game shape but got better by the game throughout the season and by the seasons end Theo had registered 24 goals and 70 assists for 94 points in just 38 games.  Good for 2.09 points per game.  He also racked up 308 penalty minutes.  Only ever destined to play for one season in Belfast he will still go down as one of the Giants greatest personalities and certainly the most famous name in team history.

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On this day in 2002 the Giants beat the Bracknell Bees 11-2 to record the highest score line in team history.  The Giants would go on to finish 2nd in the league to Sheffield that season but would win the Playoff Championship and would also feature in the Continental cup finals in Lugano, Switzerland.  Following this season Bracknell would stop  playing at the highest level in British hockey and have not returned since.

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On this day in 2003 Cardiff beat the Giants 3-2 in the Odyssey with the second Cardiff goal marking the 500th goal the Giants have conceded in team history.  As a point of note the Giants are less that 50 goals against away from conceding their 1000th goal in team history.

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On this day in 2002 the Giants raise the super league winning banner at the Odyssey arena.  It marked their first ever league championship win in the 01-02 season.  That coming season they would go on to win the playoffs and the next year another banner to mark that achievement would be unveiled.

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On this day in 2003 the Giants name John Elliot as their first ever General Manager. John who looks after the business side of the team remains as GM to this day. Also on the same day the Giants struck a sponsorship deal with MG Rover, however due to the car company’s decline this sponsorship only lasted the one season.

On this day in 2005 the Giants named George Awada as the 5th captain of the Belfast Giants - He went on to lift the league championship with the team. George has signed on again for another season with the team where he will be just the second man to captain the Giants in back to back seasons, the other being Jeff Hoad from 2000-2002.

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On this day, the Giants get the 2001/2002 season off to a horrible start after being thrashed 9-3 by the London Racers. It all turned out ok in the end however as the Giants went on a remarkable run to romp away with the league and win their first trophy in team history in just their second season.

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