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Is it just me, or is the person ( or people ) saying get rid of courtney next year MAD. How can you want rid of not only the teams top scorer, but also the guy who holds the scoring record for the superleague. Yeah, let some other team sign him next season and see how you like it, I doubt you will. Name a player with a more accurate and effective shot. I doubt you can.
Got into an arguement with a mate from the MEN arena, he reckons Weaver's the best British player, but I reckon it's wee Stevie Lyle. Yeah, each others teams.
No bias please but what do you all think as it's Storm vs. Ayr at the big weekend. And if it's neither of them that the best, then who is?
How many people are going from Ayr?
See ya all in the Bunker.
I honestly dont think you can compare the two players. They are both very good in their own roles. As for the best british player, i'd look toward the ones not in this country, ie: colin shields, and i don't mean any disrespect to colin or stevie.
True. You can't compare Stevie & Jon.
Although, that doesnt explain why I keep having arguments with my friends about who's the best!
I dunno.
Do you think the UK's best player is Weaver?
Best player, prospect, all round talent etc?
Get back to me on this one anybody, wouldnt mind chewing it over before the weekend.
well mac, if your really want an opinion i would have to say weaver is the best player. He may play for our team but i would honestly still say he was the best player no matter who he played for. Stevie is an excellent goalie but when you look at the skill and size of some players in the superleague, weaver is out there doing it against them, and he aint the biggest guy in the world, but he holds his own. Sorry storm fan
Superleague it has to be weaver i think, but in my opinion Hand should still be in the superleague. I cant compare a player against a goalie without insulting someone, and i dont think its fair to do that. Weaver is talented, but so is lyle, but as for PLAY, it has to be weaver, he holds his own very well.
Tony hand at the moment but not for long. Colin Shields will surpass him within 3 year in my opinion. What he has achieved this year has been truly fanatstic . TO be in the top few goalscorers in the whole of the US with 29 so far is without a doubt the best ever achievement by a British player on a larger stage. And this was his first year, he still has two more left. If he keeps going at this rate, he will be an NHL player before he is done, they are always looking for guys who can stick the puck in the net.
Shame theres not more coverage of his achievements in the UK press.
And if anyone is interested, like the Eagles, Colin also has a big National Semi-Final game coming up next Thursday at 12.30pm Eastern when his Maine side take on New Hampshire in the frozen four!
I know that you follow Colin Shields pretty closely so maybe you'll know this.
When does he become elegible to play or even get picked up for Flyers or Phantoms (their AHL affiliate). I know that he's a sophomore right now but I've not got a scooby what that means in terms of his next step.
If he keeps going the way he is, Philly will take him on board for sure and although he's maybe a wee bit small for the NHL just now, I'd expect him to play in the AHL for a while then who knows, the call may come.
Well Drew, at present he is a Sophomore, which means that he has two more years of College to go, Junior and Senior, if he stays in college. Although at the moment, more and more athletes are using college as a vehicle to get into the pros and leaving early. As you said, Colin maybe doesnt have the physical game yet for the NHL and a couple of years developing on a good College team wouldn't do him any harm IMO. Then when he left college, Philly would have to decide what to do with his rights.
But right now Colin is getting a lot of publicity in hockey circles and playing in the frozen four next week will only add to that. A good performance there and his star will rise even further.
thanks again for taking the trouble to come outside when i chapped the back door tonight for a picture with my son and his wee pal.
they needed to go home because it was late and shawn was the first out then cam so thanks again i really appreciate it for being so kind and genuine.
ALI,WHY DONT YOU SHUT IT. colin was thanking the guys for coming out for a photo.RATHER THAN YOU GOING ON LIKE A CHILD GROW UP IF U WANT TO POST ON HERE.
Some opinions of my own raised by previous postings....
Congrats to he guys for the season....ups and downs, but they came through in the end:). Thanks to the Giants fans for their friendship, and good luck messages.
A strange season for many reasons. Belfast I.M.H.O. are a great team but dont seem to be able to handle the one of preasure games. We waited for nearly the seasons end untill we found a gem in Molin, whom I hope is signed for the next. Courtney and Byram have to go, they need new challenges. Crow I like, he has a job to do and does it well. The bonus this season has been Gordon who apart for a few games has shown true commitment, and at times a fighting spirit larger than his size.
Schuler? well what can you say..class, class and more class.
We will win the playoffs, beating London in the final.
P.S. a quick thanks to the forgotten stewards in the Centrum who have helped the dissabled groups that have accompanied me to the games this season.
the one thing I hate seeing on other forums are 'FANS' slagging off their players, believe me it get's rediculous,glad it hasn't happened here!!
Davinci, your entitled to your opinion but why post it now? the season isn't over we've got 1 trophy in the cabinet and in with a chance of another, you must be really hard to please, this is without doubt the best group of players we've had since the G/SLAM team.
I for one hope that this team can be kept together for next season, we all know the benefits of having at least the core of a team for more than one season.
Personally I can't think of any player in the ISL I'd have in front of any of ours.
This is my opinion, like it or not I will not slate on EAGLE while he still wear's the shirt....C/MON EAGLES!
I think everyone is entitled to an opinion and, as long as people arent abusive and criticsm is constructive, surely the WHOLE point of having a forum is for healthy debate and FREE expression of opinions?
How boring would this forum be if we all thought the same?
So whilst some supporters are happy to idolise the whole team, stop being so narrow minded and criticising those that dare to express an opposing view.
Yes its been a great season, Yes the whole team deserve the accolades but come on guys, there is nothing surer than change and if I had a choice, Id rather see some players go than others! That doesnt mean I aint enjoyed watching them this season, or appreciate their contribution.
Go eagles in the playoffs!
Hope everyone has a great off season,
See you all (or some of you!) next season!
Laura you say 'stop being narrow minded and criticising those that dare to express an opposing view' EH?
Don't you think I was daring to express an opposing view?
Don't you think you've just told me to stop doing something while doing exactly the same thing yourself?
I agree that forums are for FREE expression of opinion and that is their WHOLE point,which totally contradicts you telling me not to express my opinion, does it not?
As for my original point, do you not think it would be more 'constructive'if player criticism was kept until the close season?. I do, and if you read the postings above so do others.
Lets all have a great weekend, and hope the team can bring home the silver.
Laura you say 'stop being narrow minded and criticising those that dare to express an opposing view' EH?
Don't you think I was daring to express an opposing view?
Don't you think you've just told me to stop doing something while doing exactly the same thing yourself?
I agree that forums are for FREE expression of opinion and that is their WHOLE point,which totally contradicts you telling me not to express my opinion, does it not?
As for my original point, do you not think it would be more 'constructive'if player criticism was kept until the close season?. I do, and if you read the postings above so do others.
Lets all have a great weekend, and hope the team can bring home the silver.
shut it he is right i cannot stress this enough byram and courtenay have done nothin byram has put in 1 game and that was against sheffield last game of season courtenay has done zilch they belon in the scottish national league face it
Chester, don't tell anyone to shut it. They have their opinions and you have yours. As for your opinion, the Scottish National League? Get real. We are talking two of the best players in the history of the Superleague.
I don't know what you know about hockey but from your comments I would say not a lot!!!
i agree kenny. Courtney could have scored no goals this season and still have scored more than anyone in the superleague, but not only did he score, he is our top scorer, so how can you slag him off. Chester, go back to watching field hockey, you know nothing about ice hockey
field hochey. Aye right(no offence)to people who play the game i maybe 14 but i know alot about hockey maybe more than u who knows. So please keep ur offensive comments to yourself. Peace out
That "strange season" that you speak of is not even finished yet ... we're still in the hunt for one of the biggest pieces of silverware on offer to ISL teams.
Could'nt you have waited until Sunday night before making your comments on Byram and Courteney ? These guys are just about to go into arguably the biggest weekend of the season. what a lift there going to get if they stop by Eagles Nest and see your posting.
I really don't follow the logic. Ed C is our highest scorer this season and has played his socks off the last few games. Byram is the third highest scorer. What more do you want the guys to do?
I have to disagree about courtney. I agree he has not had the best of seasons, but then again, who has. How can you want rid of a guy who has broken many scoring and points records in this country. He has a shot second to none, accurate and consistant. you may want him to go, but can you honestly say you would want to see him play against us next season. as for players to keep, i look to gage, wood, silverplatz and of course molin. They all have their own roles and do them well.
not quite mate. see gage said he would love to come back and was lookin for a contract but never ever said g guys i'll come back. Heavey said he'd do everything in his power to keep him never said he is coming back.Dont get me wrong gage is best in league and in fact maybe best ever.But i would not get the hopes up the lure of sooo much money in germany could tempt him.Please stay joaquim
There's nothing wrong with the logo, last thing we want is some poncey image consultants sucking money out of the club...and as for the music, well I seem to remember hearing the exact same tunes during the Olympic Gold Medal game and what's good enough for Lemieux, Sakic, Brodeur and Co, is good enough for me. Surely we have more important things to worry about?
My first visit to the Centrum and I really enjoyed it, some muppets behind me but I had a good laugh at them, their favourite song was something like...
Scott Allison, with a bag of sweets, and a cheesy smile, he's a paedophile
Some great fans in Ayr, and i'll be visiting Ayr again next season if I get the chance. Good crowd and atmosphere in the building, was surprised with the amount of Steelers fans there. Pitty we were chucked out before the MOM's.
A great day...and night yawns out, certainly looking foward to the Playoff finals now, hopefully we'll meet again in the final as it could be a classic.
Watched your Kestrels last night and was impressed by the good quality of the game against Kilmarnock, not to many penalties and good spirit even at the end. Both sides played youngsters and allowed them to play to their potential without any thuggery. I think you should think again and go and see them.
according to iceweb today new franchise awarded to
DUBLIN...now that could be a good weekend away!!!
Seems that they wont enter until 2005/6 with various
other applications being considered.
Lets hope we can ignore all this garbage about
Glasgow and enjoy the weekend to come.
Just to add my congrats to all of you on reaching the finals. The Eagles are looking very good to go all the way, best of luck anyway whatever the outcome ! I along with the other Giants supporters who are going hope to join you for some good hockey and a bit of craic during the weekend !
I think its great all the support we receive from giants fans. I think that the giants fans are the best fans in the superleague, and i also know that most eagles fans are of the same opinion. hard luck belfast, but you havent walked away empty handed on your first season. Good luck for next year
Um, it's their second season I think. But never mind, you're right, they have had a terrible run of form and it's great to see their fans coming here and being so supportive. Good luck next season, Giants!
Just like to add my congratulations on a great playoff run. Your guys have timed it just right. As for the CC:
"We will have our vengance - in this life or the next"
thanks for the support.
i think the giants won the league to early and then let the foot off the gas this resulting in there slump.
anyway i agree the best fans in the league and cant wait to return there next season for a couple of lemonades again lol.
I was about to say i cant believe the play offs are not on tv, but the sad thing is, i can believe it. we get all kinds of crappy sport from around the world, aussie rules, tennis, golf, sailing etc, but no coverage of the playoffs being held in this country. kind of stupid, dont you agree.
If the ISL had kept their payment requests from SKY to a reasonable level you would still be watching games. ISL wanted football size payouts when they should have been asking for much less.
I wonder if the ISL will arrange a better TV deal for next season ?, I will keep my fingers crossed that sky picks it up - i think i'am being a tad over optimistic though.
If you feel the need to lobby someone, the person to contact is Vic Wakeling - Director of Sports Programming at Sky. Doubt it'll do anything for now, but might help to influence a decision for next year.
i would just like to say that despite scoring a wonderful goal last nite and (like a fine wine)improving with age,our former captain shawn byram is still singled out for abuse.well i hope you fans take a good look in the mirror,dont pick up that season ticket renewal form and learn another players name so u can possibly shout that at some point in time. p.s.it was a thing of beauty to watch "hardman" paul kruse leave the centrum bleeding for the 2nd time after being bitchslapped by phil crowe.the last time was down to a right hook from......oh,yeah byram who went into that with 30 stitches in his mouth.
I agree with you that Byram has improved over the past couple of months, but at the start of the season he was not playing well, and didn't look to be even trying. It may be because of the high standards he set when he first came here. On this form though, I hope he stays next year.
On that note I wa speaking to Cam last night and he said that none of the team have been spoken to yet about next year! I hope they sign up most of the team again.
As for Kruse, it was great. Again, Cam said it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!!! How true!!!!
Kruse was elbowed in the face by a talentless goon who has no place on an ice pad.
Who was still playing WITH a broken nose till the end? Paul Kruse. Who was stood on the ice waiting for the MOM award when he was supposedly setting off the fire alarm? Paul Kruse.
Who was sat in the dressing room, out of the game, having forced his team to kill a 5 minute penalty (which they did very well by the way)? Sheryl Crowe.
You've got a nice arena, great fans (with your exception, obviously) but the biggest bunch of bullies on the ice.
Nice to see Brebant give Bauba a good bitch-slapping despite giving away a big height and weight advantage.
Nice to see your "classy" enforcer Dody Wood picking on Ron Shudra, a gentleman of the game if ever there was one, and slashing the stick out of his hands when he failed to goad him into a fight.
Crowe probably deserves a long ban for the elbow, but I hope he doesn't get it. I hope he's on the ice at the end of the playoff final, feeling that awful losing feeling after Paul Kruse and the Steelers have hurt him where it really matters - THE SCOREBOARD!
Steve
PS - what is it with your lot and Shawn Byram? Still one of the top players in the league, if you don't want him, I'd certainly take him on as a Steeler - anyone who criticises what Shawn does knows sod all about hockey - nuff said.
First of all Steve, Kruse was NOT on the ice waiting for his MOM award - I can clearly remember him going straight off at the final buzzer, but thought nothing of it as I assumed he was going to get stitches to the cut on his nose.
As for Kruse being elbowed by a 'talentless goon' - hmmm, the word hypocritical springs to mind! I agree, Crowe deserved 5+Game, it was a cheapshot, but if anyone deserved it, its Kruse. Yes, the same Kruse who went after Byram 2 or 3 weeks after Byram had his jaw broken by being hit in the face by a puck and still had a face mask on, before leaving the penalty box to go after Rhett Gordon. The guy is an animal, pure and simple.
How mean of big huge Dino Bauba to pick on the innocent little Rick Brebant - who, by the way, started the fight after a check after the whistle by Bauba - but Dino isn't known for that type of thing, and I'm sure he either a) didn't hear the whistle or b) couldn't stop in time
As for Wood 'picking' on Shudra, the reason he did this was because Shudra had taken a shot well after the whistle, when Gage may well have been unprepared for it - Dody's job as a enforcer is to stick up for his teammates, is he only allowed to do that if the other guy is also an enforcer?
I do agree with you on the point about Byram - even when he was playing badly for the first half of the season, there was no excuse for the abuse he was getting from A FEW - but recently, he has arguably been our best player, certainly one of our best. To be fair though, I haven't heard much abuse recently.
YOU HAVE GOT A CHEEK TO TALK ABOUT CROWE OR ANY OTHER AYR PLAYERS.
WAS IT NOT KRUSE THAT SLASHED PUNCHED AND HIT A RUSSIAN PLAYER WITH HIS OWN HELMET IN AN EXHIBITION MATCH.
DID ALLISON WHOM I THINK IS A GOOD HOCKEY PLAYER NOT PUNCH RISIDORE AFTER THE LINESMAN STEPPED IN UP AT OUR RINK.
OH AND ONE LAST THINK WAS IT NOT KRUSE THAT LEFT THE PENALTY BOX TO CHEAP SHOT RHETT GORDON ONE OF OUR SMALLEST PLAYERS WHILE HIS BACK WAS TURNED THEN GOT FLUNG OOT WITH THE OTHER TWO GOONS WHO WERE SPOILING TO GOON IT UP.
P.S THAT WAS JUST SOME OF IT
Must be nice to be able to come on here and say what you like. Going onto your forum and posting something similar to what you've just put on would be removed immediately, if only because it doesn't side with the beloved Steelers.
I cannot believe you are still sticking up for this piece of trash.
Kruse got exactly what he deserved. As for it being a cheapshot - nah - only if Phil wasnt willing to back it up by going face to face. Kruse had already been 'invited' during the course of the game by Dody and Phil and had declined. Given his past history at Ayr you would think the least he could have done was drop the gloves.
As for Allison, the man didnt even have the guts to stand up for his teammate - obviously someone had nailed him to the ice behind the linesman when he opened his bug yappy gob to Phil on the way to the penalty box.
Shortly after the incident we were treated to more of the Kruse / Allison duo with the following acts:
1. Allison lineing up Johan Molin for a boarding but deciding not to. (Probably when he realised he would be forced to answer a call from anyone of the larger Ayr Players).
2. Kruse boarding and elbowing Johan Molin and generally gooning it up for the rest of the game but only after he made sure Dody wasn't on the ice.
In summary your captain and assistant captain are Spot Pickers and Mr Kruse got exactly what he deserved.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game and it was well worth the five minute major to see Kruse get some just desserts. He he, this is now the third visit to Ayr where he has come off worse (Thumped to the ice by Bauba (albeit he was jumped from behind), Cut open by Shaun Byram and now his chicken like beak broken by Crowe).
Perhaps he needs to leave the ISL - it is clearly too tough for him - and find a league where either everyone is the same size as Johan Molin or he doesnt have to answer for his actions.
I do agree with your comments about Shaun Byram.
Dino 'bitch slapped' by Brebant. Hardly, although I would agree that Brebant got the better of the fight despite the size advantage.
As has already been said, Dody was quite right to challenge your player for making the shot long after the whistle. Had Dody been a steeler, he would have waited for the player to be looking the other way and sucker punched him.
PS - Talentless goon ? Didnt he score against you on Sunday.
Your team got beat in a great fair game of Hockey and your supposed tough guys got showed up to be the chickens they are.
What a fool you must be. You have Kruse, he got what his gives out. As for Bauba getting a bitch slapping, were you at the same game? Wood, thats pure jealousy on your part, he is not only the toughest player in the league, but he is respected by his fams and many other, and also by the other players in the league from what i can see, your the only idiot that cant see it. As for Crow hitting Kruser, ok, was an elbow and was wrong, but dont try and make people look as stupid as you by telling us Kruse wouldnt do that. Your a fool, go watch some hockey then come back and comment on it when you learn the game.
After our shock qualification last night i am looking forward to playing the eagles in the semi. Neil, Blood might run thicker than water but when it comes to ice hockey our first loyalties lie with storm
It was a great game last night well worth the trip see you all on saturday.
Hard luck to the Belfast fans think your all great i hope there is no hard feelings after all you won the league and we got the wooden spoon!!!
dont no anythin about the new kit but the design a shirt competition seems to have vanished off this planet. maybe jack blades should say something useful for a change and announce it
The design a shirt competition went up the swanny when the BFM marketing manager left. A big shame for all those kids who entered. Some of the designs that made it to Icebreaker looked excellent. I hope they use one of them when they come to design next season's top.
I think that depends on ticket prices, i'm convinced that this is the biggest obstacle to getting the bums on seats at the Centrum.last night Of the dozen season ticket holders I sit with in block P, 6 said they were definately not renewing season tickets but were going to "pick and choose " games 3 said they were not sure and 3 said they would renew season tickets.I'm sure though (like me )that when it comes down to it and it's hockey time again then most of the six will sign up .
i fully agree about ticket prices. I have travelled to better arenas and paid less money for ticket. I think ticket prices should be the same for all teams and all games. Filling centrum at a lower ticket price is better than a half full centrum at this price
I dont think anyone, ayr fan or otherwise can say they felt bad for kruse. He would have done what crow did given the chnce and crow just showed what an ass he is by setting off the alarm
Dont blame Kruse for the fire alarm. Look closer to home. The Centrum Mangament are aware who set it off.
Also their fire evacuation policy is a joke where were the fire marshals where were the fire asembely points.
where was there proceduers for the emegency sevices to accsess the arena.It was chaos. Thank God it was a false alarm. We can joke about the Centrum not having a clue but when it comes to lives at risk. Health & Safety please take note.
Yeah, and what I thought was a farce, as they where clearing the building. The zamboni was on the ice cutting it for the game that followed. Do they think that because its ice and when it melts it becomes water,they are safe. Don't think so!!!!!!!!
word from stewards last night was it was 2 wee boys who had set off the alarm, really disappointing not to be able to give the guys a good send off last nite.
It's Spring and time for flowers to bloom. So it's down to you Flowers of Scotland to do your stuff and send the rest homewards to think again. As a Giant I'd like to share the feeling with them...
Have great playoffs and good luck (until next season!!)
(:-))>
I heard a funny comment tonight. When Kruse was going off to get treatment, with blood all over his nose. The guy who sits next to me started chanting. 'Rudolph the red nose bam-pot'. I found it hilarious.
well they fire engines going there for a hoax could off cost someone their life so that was very clever kruse i hope you get heavily punished for that stupidity
I thought Cam would have got MOM tonight, bit of a fiasco at the end. Anyone know what happened? I heard it was set off in the Steelers changing room, but u know what rumours r like????????
One of the fire alarm boxes was smashed just before the presentations. I beleive the M.O.M awards will take place tomorrow night at the End of Season Party. Thanks Ali
Thats strange, just before the awards a box was smashed. I wonder who it could have been?????????Just thought i would mention that Kruse was first off the ice, a coincidence of course..........lol
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