EIHL League and Cup Champions prepare for Norwegian test

Belfast Giants kick off their competitive campaign this week when they face Norway’s Stavanger Oilers at the SSE Arena.

The team has already spent a week on the ice in Northern Ireland as preparations ramp up for two exhibition games before their return to the Champions Hockey League.

Head Coach Adam Keefe shared what the Giants have been up to so far in Belfast:

“We started last Sunday with our welcome meeting, and from Monday we got right into conditioning. Week one for us is about laying down our ‘foundation’ and making sure the players understand what will bring us success.

On day one the players took a cold-water swim in the ocean and went through fitness testing. Day two was skating tests, which were very demanding. We’ve also had some ‘Teal vs. White’ scrimmages to end the week, and on Sunday we climbed a peak in the Mourne Mountains.

We wanted to establish our expectations, goals, and standards in the first week, and to work as a group to overcome adversity.”

Stavanger will arrive in Belfast for two games against the Giants, one each on Friday and Saturday. The Norwegian side will also spend most of the week in the city as part of their own pre-season preparations.

Looking ahead to week two, Keefe is aiming to expand the team’s focus:

“This week will be more about creating offense, working on special teams, and adding to our systems and structure — all while making sure the players are at the conditioning level we know they’ll need for Stavanger and then the CHL.”