Belfast Giants have battled through a very busy schedule says Jeff Mason
Belfast Giants’ associate coach is confident that the team has battled through the busy Christmas and New Year period to put themselves in a very good place in the league.
Looking back at the games against Manchester and Coventry, he said: “Manchester can always be a difficult to travel what with their rink setup and surroundings. They have a good team this year that plays hard.
“We found the way to get that win in that building which was a very positive start to the weekend games.
“Going into Coventry, I thought that we did a lot of things well and got the lead.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to sustain that lead, we took to many penalties against a team that has been very hot on the powerplay this season so far.”
He added: “It ended up costing us which was disappointing.”
Mason said that Giants needed a good “bounce back effort” against Dundee on Wednesday.
He remarked: “To go into Dundee and get out in front was what we wanted to do right from the very start. Getting in front allowed us to control the majority of the game.
“Obviously letting them back into the game in the third period was not the plan, that meant we put more pressure on ourselves than we needed to do.
“The clutch goal from Jordan Kawaguchi to put us back out in front by two, and then that was followed up with a goal from David Goodwin, really helped to seal that win up.”
Mason continued: “I think it has been a good stretch of games for us over the Christmas and New Year period, it can always a make or break period.”
Consistency, like in every sport, is the name of the game in ice hockey agrees Mason.
He said: “There is always a big emphasis put on this time of year because of the number of games which come at you so quickly.
“Sometimes it does feel like you are playing every other day and there’s not many practices. It’s not always the easiest to stay sharp.
“Full credit to the team, they have worked hard, competed and on a number of nights we had to play short bodies because of injuries. They found ways to battle through that.
“In the last ten games we have taken 17 points, we have the second best record in the last 20 games, so the consistency has been there and we are being rewarded for it.”
One player who has been a a standout recently is local lad Carter Hamill who picked up his first professional against the Fife Flyers and added his second against Dundee.
Mason said: “It is always great to see local talent doing well. Carter is someone who I have seen over a number of year,s from when he was playing for the Junior Giants.
“To see his progression is brilliant. He is being rewarded for all the effort that he has put in.”
Mason continued: “He has played some very valuable minutes for the Giants. In times when we have been short Carter has stepped in and help us out.
“It is always great to see someone like Carter contributing in a game and getting on the scoresheet. The other guys on the squad are also so happy for him too.”
Mason expects a difficult game against the Nottingham Panthers this weekend.
He said: “Coming into season we had forecasted that Nottingham would be a title contender this year.
“We know that we are going to have to battle tooth and nail with them to retain our title.”
He added: “They are up there with us when you look at recent form. Over the last 20 games I think they have the best form in the league and they are just above us.
“They are a quality side and they have a lot of very talented players on their roster.”
The Giants take on the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday (faceoff time 7pm) at the SSE Arena. On Sunday they take on Manchester Storm (faceoff time 4pm) also at the SSE.