Thornton: Giant Task Ahead, Starting Tonight

Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 3:10 pm

The LBM Belfast Giants have 11 games in which to mount a charge for the league leaders, the Coventry Blaze, in order to claim the Elite League title for the first time since 2006. The Giants still have two games to play against the Blaze but first on the hit list is the Cardiff Devils. The Giants take on the Devils tonight, knowing they must do what they have only managed once previously this season, win in Cardiff.

“I firmly believe that we have yet to see the twists and turns that will make the final 11 games so intense,” said Giants coach, Steve Thornton. “Time and time again this season we have seen how capable every team is of taking points off everyone else. However, we need to take care of ourselves, keep focus and take one game at a time and if Coventry lose a game or two then we need to ensure that we are right there, breathing down their necks.” 

The LBM Giants, along with the Nottingham Panthers are currently sitting on 59 points, five points behind the Coventry Blaze who are leading the way with 64 points after 44 games played. The Belfast Giants have played one more game than the Blaze and Nottingham have played two more. 

“Last time out against Cardiff, we won 5-3 and came agonisingly close to making it through to the final of the Challenge Cup. But the damage was done in the first leg going down 5-2. Cardiff may be the toughest place to win when away from home. They will come at us hard and try and intimidate us. We can play that game this year so it could be an exciting game for the fans to watch.”