Devils @ Giants - Match Preview 14th December

13th Dec 2012 | Posted by Geraint Walters

The Devils start off what is a crazy weekend in terms of travel with a tough trip to the Odyssey Arena to take on Doug Christiansen's Belfast Giants. Along the way, they also have a trip home to face the Braehead Clan before a long trip on the bus to face Fife Flyers on the Sunday.

This is the 4th meeting between the teams this season with the Giants leading the series 2-1. Last time out, the Devils came back from 3-0 down to win the game in overtime 4-3 with the Game winning goal by Mac Faulkner. Faulkner has proved to be a big fan favorite with his overall game and left other team coaches wishing he was one of theirs. So far, Faulkner has put up 23 Goals, 22 Assists for 45 points in 28 games.

The Giants will be missing two key players from their line up's this weekend and for the foreseeable future in Rob Sandrock and Andrew Fournier(Top point scorer for the Giants_ - http://www.belfastgiants.com/archives/g ... -update-3/

The Devils will welcome recent signing Jesse Gimblett to the line up this weekend as well as Paul Bissonnette who returns from illness last weekend. Birbraer is training but still not confirmed whether he will play due to the recent injury sustained in Sheffield two weeks ago. One player missing from the line up will be Adam Harding who's in Ukraine with the GB U20's for the Junior World Championships.

Devil's coach Adams had this to say about the recent performances of the D and net minder “Our goalie and defense are up there with the best in Elite League hockey,” said Adams, who was himself in outstanding form as the Devils were edged out 2-1 after sudden death overtime and penalties against Nottingham Panthers.

“Phil has been fantastic for the us over the last 12 games or so, absolutely brilliant. It is looking really solid at the back with Tyson Marsh and Mark Richardson, the Smith brothers and the younger lads.

“We are delighted to have Richie back in the team and we can look forward to making big progress over the rest of this season.” (Courtesy of Wales Online)

As usual we'll be running Match Night Live! for this game from the usual location of http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl

O.J. will be hosting and as always can be reached before/during the game at matchnightlive@the-inferno.co.uk