Building On A Solid Start As We Welcome Edinburgh

Posted on Monday, September 13th, 2010 at 9:52 am

I have to admit that when the league re-arranged the fixture list after Hull dropped out and then came back in, I was a bit concerned when I saw our first two weekends of games. Four tough games, three on the road and two home openers for top teams in the league, but things went nearly perfect for us with 7 out of 8 points to open the season.

Our home opener on Saturday, September 11th was a great atmosphere and a superb opening game for all of ours fans who were clearly hockey starved over the last five months. The Blaze were probably as happy to play us in our home opener as we were the weekend before playing against the Panthers in their home opener. As good as we played this past weekend, I still think we have another level to raise our game to. We are not playing our best hockey, or the best that we believe we can play. It is early days and we still need time for the guys to get used to their line mates and d-partners.

One thing that has become evident over these opening games is that this team, every single one of them, is willing to pay the price. I rarely saw players taking the easy way out this past weekend and I think this team blocks more shots than any team I have been associated with before. I told Doug after Sunday’s game that the third period in Coventry could have been the playoff final for the way our guys were laying down to block shots, something you don’t always expect to see in September.

Next weekend we have the Edinburgh Capitals who have had an extra couple of weeks to get their team together and I know they will be coming into Belfast to prove a point to their old coach. Before I met with Doug to interview him for the coaching job, I called the owner of the Capitals to see if he would let me speak to Doug. I didn’t have to because Doug was out of contract, but I did it out of respect for the Capitals and for the owner that I know very well. I think he appreciated it and although he probably knew that if the job was offered to Doug, he would lose a great coach, he also personally called and told Doug that I wanted to talk to him about the job. That takes a big man to do that and I will respect him for that always.

I think in Belfast, we have always had a special spot in our hearts for the Capitals and their fans. They may not have the biggest fan base but they are loyal fans and they love their team and this sport. We have all enjoyed weekends in Scotland with them and we have enjoyed hosting them here in Belfast over the years. For that reason, I think the Capitals are going to want to kick our butts even more than they usually want to. They have something to prove to all of us, and most of all to Doug. But then again Doug has something to prove to all of them and the way this team is coming together, I think our guys will be ready to go through a wall for their coach this weekend.

Our last home game before the Bruins come to town. Let’s make it a great one

Todd Kelman
General Manager