BLEFAST, IRELAND – Rushing out of work on Saturday night I looked at all the closed shops, darkness had enveloped the streets and there was a distinct chill in the air, Starbucks and Nero were closing up, and all I wanted was a hot drink to hold in my now blue hands.
Let me elaborate further, I work in a shop which is now open to 7 on a Saturday, and I have to beg, steal and borrow to get out early in order not to miss face off.
God forbid the two lingering children who don’t want to buy anything won’t be served by the assistant manager! I need a new job!
Anyway….. I pulled my cardigan up around myself as I walked over the bridge towards the beacon that is the big ‘O’.
Struggling to open my clasp of my tacky purse, I removed my season ticket and stepped into the hustle and bustle. Buying my copy of Top Shelf and ducking into the toilet to put on my signature Walsh jersey, I opened the programme to have a look at the interviews and quizzes and was taken aback, like a huge slap in the face.
My Edinburgh Capitals preview was on the page, word for word! With someone else’s name!
I could have killed dead things! I was raging. I have given up trusting anyone.
Grabbing a pint of Budweiser and taking my seat I shoved the magazine into my bag and silently fumed. Everyone who had a copy was reading my work believing it was someone else’s work!
The lights went down and the zamboni came onto the ice. Focusing on the match I knew that the Giants were only four points behind the Blaze and two wins were essential. The Blaze were playing the Stingrays, and unfortunately that was practically a guaranteed. We weren’t guaranteed a win especially with the Capitals beating Coventry last week, something we had so far failed to do.
The opening face-off predictably held a fight between Sharp and our own Sean ‘the Sheriff’ McMorrow. I could have predicted the win on Mac’s side but Sharp got serious man points once again going with Mac and taking his beating.
With the opening pleasantries exchanged the game got into flow, both teams playing very defensively and Rudkowsky saving some net bound pucks. After eleven minutes of play Sharp and McMorrow again dropped the gloves and tussled out their differences on the ice.
Less than five minutes later the break through that we have all been waiting for, Cook struck from the red line. I was stunned, not actually sure whether or not the puck had found its destination. Stuck to my seat I wasn’t sure whether or not I should get up and cheer or not. But it was good! The goal stood and the Giants were on the score board.
The period ended and I went to get my shirt off the back ticket. Michael Jacobsen’s shirt tonight would have been a nice addition to my jersey collection, but I expected nothing and therefore I wasn’t disappointed. The second started with an almost immediate goal from Colin Shields placing the score at 2 to nil. Surreal moment of the night was Pat Bateman throwing a massive hissy fit, taking exception to an open ice hit and throwing his glove to one side smacking the Capital player in the head. He earned a two minute rest for his effort and left his side short handed. Fortunately the Giants have been plying awesomely well short handed. Jeffrey Szwez proved this by cannoning a shot past the Cap’s keeper.
The third period only yielded one goal, from Dan Welch from the awesome force that is Jeff Hutchins, he got an awful lot of abuse from the crowd, all I have to say on this subject is that some people have short memories, ahem he was once a high points scorer for the Belfast Giants.
The match ended 3 to 1, a greatly entertaining match and leaving the Giants in top form for taking on the Devils on Wednesday in Fortress Dundonald. Contact seanna.murdock@prohockeynews.com
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