Giants coach issues rallying call ahead of Devils battle

Belfast Giants player-coach Derrick Walser is hoping his side can get back to winning ways against the Cardiff Devils. Credit: Presseye

Belfast Giants head coach Derrick Walser has issued a rallying call for more passion from his side, and the backing of their home fans, ahead of a huge double-header against the Cardiff Devils.

The Giants will be out to make amends after falling to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Devils in their Challenge Cup semi-final decider last week.

And the stakes are high for their back-to-back league clashes on Friday and Saturday, with the Devils having retaken the top spot in the standings and moved three points clear of second-placed Belfast.

“It’s going to be fun – and war. Once game day hits, we need to be all business,” Walser said.

The Giants did get back on track after that defeat by the Devils with a 6-3 league win at home against the Dundee Stars on Friday – one that briefly saw them top the table.

However, there was bitter disappointment ahead when the side fought back from 4-1 down in Sunday’s away game against the Fife Flyers, only to ultimately lose out 9-5.

For a side that had, in recent weeks, beaten big teams like the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers, that result at such a crucial stage in the league campaign was hard to take.

Taking on the Devils again, at home on both Friday and Saturday, will be the most important games of the season so far for the Giants and their coach knows what is needed from his team.

“When we went to Sheffield, we went there with determination and passion and we found a way to win. That is how we need to approach this weekend,” he said.

While the pressure may be on the players to deliver, the Giants are hoping their vocal fans will back them up by helping to make the SSE Arena a hostile place for their opponents to play.

“First of all, we need an atmosphere in our building to get the guys fired up,” Walser said.

“Then we need to come out on our toes.

“Last Wednesday, Cardiff came out on their toes and we need to be a lot more ready to go.

"If we do that, we will have the opportunity to get some goals and get the crowd into it.”