The Most Important Game of the Holiday Season…

Posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

The Coors Belfast Giants are preparing for their most important game of the Holiday season tonight against the Sheffield Steelers and they will be pleased to welcome their coach back into the line up after a 2 game ban.

Steve Thornton missed games against Edinburgh and Hull for a tripping infraction that resulted in a two game suspension but he’s back for Tuesday and is ready for what he is billing as a “defining moment” of the Giants season.

“Sheffield have been on fire lately and have been pulling away from the other top three teams in the league. For once, I think the Coventry Blaze and the Nottingham Panthers will be cheering for the Giants on Tuesday Night. Everyone wants to knock off the top team in the league and they need us to beat the Steelers as much as we need to beat them,” said Thornton.

“The Steelers are coming in at full strength and very confident after taking three of four points off of the Nottingham Panthers last weekend. But so far we have battled well against the Steelers and I am expecting the best effort of the season from my guys.”

The Giants are still without Andrew Martin, who is expected to miss the next three weeks but leading scorer Paul Deniset returned after Christmas and is back on track. Deniset set up two goals against Edinburgh on December 27th and scored a goal and an assist in Sunday’s win over Hull, including the overtime game-winning goal.

“I have to admit, the win in Hull felt extra sweet after them campaigning to have our coach suspended. It was the extra motivation we needed and it felt pretty good travelling back to the hotel on Sunday Night,” said Deniset. “We will be ready for the Steelers and we know that we will have to up our game to the next level, which I know we are capable of. This team always plays our best against the best teams and so far our games against the Steelers have all been fast paced and fun to be a part of. I expect another epic battle on Tuesday.”

The Giants are leading the season series against the Steelers so far with a record of 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in five games played so far this season. The Giants only loss came the last time they faced each other when the Steelers blanked the Giants 5-0.

Face off Tuesday night is 7:30pm

GIANTS DREAM AUCTION

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Giants Dream Auction tonight at the Fan Zone Booth. Tickets are £5 each or 3 for £10. There are a number of once in a lifetime opportunities up for grabs including the chance to become the coach for a night, the chance to train with the Giants and the chance to actually play for the Giants at a home game at the Odyssey Arena! Tickets will be on sale all night from the Fan Zone Table in the front foyer of the Odyssey Arena.