Excited About January

Posted on Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

I am genuinely excited about January 2011, particularly after getting back on track after a dismal finish to 2010 by shutting out Hull on Sunday the 2^nd and stealing 2 points in Nottingham on Friday the 7^th.

The Panthers and their fans will invade Belfast this weekend for what I would expect to be two of the most exciting games of the season so far. These games just became the two most important games for both teams because the Panthers, like ourselves need to get back on track and string together some wins to climb back into the title chase in the second half of the season.

A sweep by either team sets that club up nicely to make the Devils and the Steelers sit up and take notice, although I am sure the guys in Cardiff and Sheffield are hoping we split the games in regulation time, a minimum number of points with neither team gaining any ground.

This weekend’s double-header is the first of a handful of exciting games this month at the Odyssey Arena, including Shane Johnson’s testimonial on Wednesday, January 26^th. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, make sure you do because this is more than a hockey game, it is a celebration for a Giants Legend and the longest serving Giant of all time.

Jonny created some memorable moments for Giants fans over the years and I think all of us, even the guys that played with him over the last decade have watched in awe some nights at the way he carried the puck, hammered guys twice his size and got in the face of every opponent he ever faced.

For me personally, I am really looking forward to having a room full of old teammates and great friends return to help Shane celebrate his big night. There are some players that have already been announced and a couple big names still to come that will surely have every die hard Giants fan excited to see the Johnson All-Stars hit the ice on the 26^th.

After the testimonial match, there will be an opportunity to catch up with all the old Giants and the current Giants in Rockies Sports Bar. You can get yourself one of the testimonial jerseys in the auction and hopefully a few other Johnson memories will be shared from former teammates.

After that, I think Jonny and the old boys are going dancing. Trust me – nobody wants to see that.

Todd Kelman
General Manager