The Belfast Giants will be eager to bounce back this weekend after failing to extend their lead at the top of the table following a 3-1 defeat to Dundee Stars on Sunday.
Home games against Guildford Flames and Manchester Storm provide the perfect opportunity for Adam Keefe’s men to get back on the horse as they approach the home straight in the Elite League season.
The Giants are in control of their own destiny, currently sitting in pole position with a seven point cushion at the top of the league and Challenge Cup semi-final games against Nottingham Panthers.
Last season’s grand slam winners, Sheffield Steelers, sit in second place with the chasing pack featuring the Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers.
Giants defenceman, Zak Galambos, told the Irish News that he enjoys the pressure of being at the league’s summit.
“Being in first place is always fun and it’s a rewarding position to be in for this group.” Explained the 27-year-old.
“We don’t think too much about it other than what we are going to do to stay on top. We know teams will be gunning for us every time we play and they’re going to give us their best game because we are in first place and there is now a massive target on our back.”
Indeed, last weekend’s weekend’s Scottish double-header proved to be tricky for the Giants as they avoided a late scare against Fife Flyers to come away with two points but then were put to the sword the following evening by Dundee to end their eight-game winning streak.
“Last weekend was a rollercoaster.” Galambos says.
“We had a big lead on Fife and had done everything we needed to in the opening ten minutes. But going into the third period they bounced back and their fans got into it and gave them life. They fought back but fortunately we were able to put that one away at the end.
“Then against Dundee it was a tough one because we just couldn’t get things going. The guys were working but we didn’t click. Dundee played a really good game and we just ended up on the wrong side of things.
“Our mentality this weekend is all about bouncing back. We have to dust ourselves down and move on.
“Our focus is on Guildford this weekend who we know will give us a test. Then we have Manchester who are a good side. We’re not going to change anything. We are going to stay consistent with our game plan and just try to go out there and execute it.”
Indeed, Galambos has proved a useful addition to the Giant’s squad despite a difficult start due to injury, even recently chipping in with a key goal in a crucial win over the Cardiff Devils.
“My season got off to a slow start because I had a hernia surgery at the beginning of the year and I’ve struggled to get back into it a little bit.
“It took a while but it’s fortunate that I’ve been able to get back into the lineup and I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunity and get back into the line-up every week and help the side as much as I can.
“We have crucial games coming up against Nottingham across two legs in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup. We know that will be a challenge because we know they’re going to want to come out and want to match up to us.
“But I think we have a really dangerous roster including the line of (J.J) Piccinich, (David) Goodwin and Scott Conway as a really good trio.
“However, we have a lot of guys chipping in and contributions come from everywhere in our team which has been great and shows the quality in the roster.
“I think we’re in a good position and more than ever we’re just trying to balance enjoying our hockey while also treating every game as a final at this important point in the season.”
The Giants face Guildford at 7pm on Saturday and Manchester the following afternoon at 4pm, with both games taking place in Belfast.
Then, Keefe’s men will turn their attention to the first of two legs of the semi-final of the Challenge Cup against Nottingham taking place on Wednesday evening in Belfast.
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