PREVIEW: Clan v Belfast Giants THIS TUESDAY
NEXT HOME GAME: We’re back in action at Braehead Arena when our rivals the Belfast Giants come in Elite Ice Hockey League action (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.
It’s Boxing Day hockey at the Braehead arena this Tuesday evening. Glasgow’s Braehead Clan will host the Belfast Giants in the penultimate home game of 2017. The Purple Army will be hoping that John Tripp’s men will give them the perfect, belated Christmas present with a win.
The Giants are flying high in the league, sitting in second place only two points behind league leaders the Cardiff Devils. Our Match Night Live Reporter, David Marshall (@marshalldave38) takes a look at some of the key players in the Giant’s line up:
The 32-year-old Canadian is playing his first season in the league and he has made a quick impression in Belfast. Connolly has 36 points from 26 games in the league, with 13 goals and 26 assists.
Connolly saw a six-game scoring run come to an end on Saturday when he could only manage the one assist against the Edinburgh Capitals. The centre is in a fine run of form which sees him sit 7th in the league’s point scoring rankings.
He set up two goals when the sides last met in October, the Giants running out 4-3 winners in overtime. Connolly will be hoping to start a new scoring streak with what would be his first goal against the Clan on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Englishmen spent the 2013/14 season at Braehead after his first spell at the Giants came to an end. Towe played 66 matches for the Clan scoring 18 goals in all competitions.
Towe left the Clan and spent two seasons playing in the English Premier League with the Guildford Flames. He helped the Flames to the EIPHL Cup and Playoff title. He then rejoined the Giants in 2016 and is now in his second season of his second tenure in Belfast.
He missed out on the Giants come back victory at Braehead in October and will be keen to make an impact at his old stomping ground.
Up the other end of the Ice, Cole Jarrett has been pivotal in ensuring the puck stays out of the Giant’s net. Jarrett joined the Giants in the summer after playing two seasons in the Asia League with the Tohoku Free Blades.
In 2016/17, Jarrett was the highest scoring defensemen in the Asia League, an accolade he has achieved three times throughout his career. In 2001, he was a fifth round pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL Draft. He played one NHL game with the New York Islanders.
Jarrett was named as an alternate captain by Adam Keefe when he arrived in Belfast. He missed out on the previous match with the Clan so the Boxing Day match will be the 35-year-old’s first appearance inside the Braehead Arena. Let’s hope Jarrett and the rest of the Giants squad are still nursing the Christmas turkey when the puck drops on Tuesday night.
