Piccinich: ‘We are selfish on trophies we want to win’

Sharp-shooter J J Piccinich, who has 29 goals so far this season, was delighted to get back to league games last weekend when the Giants convincingly beat the Dundee Stars 5-1.
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“That was a business game for us,” he said after the game. “We surprised ourselves a little early on in the opening period.

“We might have had a reason to come out slow tonight, what with the Challenge Cup final win on Wednesday, but the fact that we didn’t just shows the sort of group that we have on the team.

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“We are selfish for the trophies that we want to win this season. And were are definitely in the position to get more and that’s what we are focused on.”

Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.    Photo by William Cherry/PresseyePress Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.    Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

Piccinich was a deserving man of the match for the Giants against Dundee and bagged a brace of goals, the second being quite spectacular.

Reflecting on his goals he said: “It has been quite a while since I have had a goal like that one. But aside from my goals, it is always a team effort. Cam Knight made a great play and pulled their player to limit his opportunity, and I was there to reap the benefits of the play.”

Piccinich said that the Giants’ were focused on their next game which was a road-trip to Manchester to face the Storm.

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“Every game matters right now. Everyone has a play-off feel to them. There will probably be some ping pong in that arena and we will be bouncing crazily.

Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.    Photo by William Cherry/PresseyePress Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.    Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 19th March 2022 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giantsâ€TM JJ Piccinich scoring against the Dundee Stars during Saturday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye

“It will be out third time going into that arena and the guys are aware of how those games might transpire.”

Assistant coach Jeff Mason was pleased with the Giant’ performance against the Star.

He said: “After the high of Wednesday night and the boys got to celebrate that first trophy of the season, and rightfully so.

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“But we felt that if we could come out an early and match their intensity, that we would be in pretty good shape. Full credit to the boys, the came out of the lockerrom and put in a really professional effort. They did what they had to do early.”

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