OK, it's gone a bit quiet, so here's a discussion point.

Going on the radio commentary last night, Joel put in a really good show again, but faced 40 or so shots.

Has he been overworked, and should he be rested on Sunday before we hit the rush of games around Christmas?

Its a bit difficult for any of us to question Blasers choices but maybe, just maybe Laing needs a rest (although by the sounds of the commentary last night he still played superb)and Prior needs another game or two

Even though he conceded 4 goals last night Joel Laing was still outstanding (as ever). You would be doing us a favour if he was rested. Unlike Ryder, Laing seems able to hold on to everything, he never spills to many shots. I only wish he was playing for Belfast this year. So it would be nice for us if you gave him a rest for the remainder of the season. lol

........but while I agree that the defence was very poor I also thought that Joel had a bad game.

Yes, he made some good saves but he was fighting the puck most of the night. Take Giants controversial goal, if Joel hadn't dropped the puck at his feet then they couldn't have scored.

I also thought he should have done better with the Giant 4th & 5th goals. He seemed to get his angles wrong for both of them.

Then there was twice in the 2nd when he dropped his stick behind the goal when trying to clear.

All in a VERY poor TEAM effort against an average Giants team who were much quicker and wanted it more.

What 5th goal

All teams are going to lose eventually; the key is how we respond tonight, we've only lost twice in a row once this season, it's not the sort of thing that happens often to Blaiser's teams, and I think that we will be a lot stronger defensively tonight than either Friday or last Sunday.

Steve

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....should read 3rd & 4th.

It just seemed more!!

it was down to a D that seemingly constantly left him dangling out to dry in the 2nd and 3rd period..
It was much the same story as Sundays narrow squeak win over the Kerniggits..started off like lightning, battered the Giants in the first period then just disappeared after the giants equaliser..The go ahead goal from the Giants was decidely dodgy (our old mate Mr Hanson proving his eyesight depressingly shonky by watching the net being knocked off by a melee of players then calling a goal as the puck crossed the line into a net that was at a 45 degree angle to where it originated..a 'knowledgable but VERY alchohol posessed' Giants fan in front of me opined straight away that it was a dodgy call indeed (Hows the headache Mr Belfast Leaf )
Still, it was the next two goals that beat us and they wer good goals..

Basically we were not on par, the Giants were, and they did the job properly..I remeber when we played some of our best hockey as a short benched team..well thats what happened last night..only we were on the recieving end..

Its December and they've finally managed to beat us was my only consolation last night..

Just stuff the buggers tomorrow night please lads..

Spose we could always blame the defeat on Blaisers choice of bench attire last night..smugglers jacket and polo neck jumper made him look like summat from the Moscow Mafiosi

scuff (red Steeler)

Hehe, I wasn't suggesting that Joel was in any way to blame, just that perhaps he would benefit from a rest, and Trevor may be due for a bit of ice time.

I think the change might put a spark in the 'D' and get them thinking about defense again. Maybe they've got complacent thinking that Joel will bail them out for any mistakes.

No-one can be perfect all the time, and I think a rest now would work wonders for Joel down the stretch.