Giants to Face Vipers in Pre-Season Clash

Posted on Sunday, July 5th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

The Belfast Giants have confirmed that they will be playing an exhibition game against their most hated rivals, the Newcastle Vipers on Thursday 27th August at the Dundonald Ice Bowl.

This will be a fun and exciting night of ice hockey for Giants fans as they get their first look at the 2009-10 Belfast Giants only four days into their pre-season training camp.

Coach Steve Thornton is looking forward to playing the ‘friendly’ game in August before the Elite League season kicks off the next weekend.

“I’m looking forward to getting our guys on the ice in game situations and I’m also excited to be able to give our fans a first look at the team which I am positive will be challenging for honours again next season. The Vipers’ games are always good battles and I am sure the game on 27th August will be no different.”

The drama continues between these two teams that have become unexpected rivals over the last four seasons after a close fight for the league title in 2005/06, a battle the Giants eventually won, although the Vipers knocked them out of the Playoffs on way to a title of their own that same season. The rivalry grew to new heights last season and this game will hardly have the normal pre-season feel that games have in years past.

Giants General Manager Todd Kelman spoke about the exciting Vipers match up, “Everytime we play the Vipers it is always a great battle and I expect nothing else from this exhibition game in the Dundonald Ice Bowl. The Giants-Vipers games are some of the most anticipated by our fans and I have no doubt that this game will have the new faces on both teams quickly understanding the rivalry.”

The game will face off at 7pm and tickets for the Belfast Giants v Newcastle Vipers game at the Dundonald Ice Bowl on Thursday 27th August, will be available from Monday, August 3rd at the Belfast Giants Office. Ticket Prices will be confirmed at a later date.