2001 in Great Britain

Part 8: Back to Belfast

Ian has become a fan of the Belfast Giants, the leading British league team. Ice hockey, since it lacks the religious divisions of the other sporting clubs in Northern Ireland, is one of the few opportunities for families to enjoy sport together. Ian managed to scam seats near the middle of the ice, five rows behind the Giants' bench.

The game started very well for the Giants, with two textbook goals in the first 3:20 of the game. A third goal was added midway through the first period, for a 3-0 lead at the first break. Belfast looked technically skilled, almost as fast as the NHL, but the players were physically smaller.

The second period was the best for the Bracknall Bees, as they managed a pair of goals on power plays, but Belfast added a late goal to extend the lead to 4-2 at the second break.

Belfast definitely looked the better side, but in the third period, Bracknall showed excellent penalty killing skills. In fact, during the game Belfast never really threatened during the power plays. A late break away goal lead to the final score of 5-2.

We picked up Dawn and went to a local Indian restaurant for dinner. I had a gosht vindaloo, onion bhaji, and keema nan. Ian had butter chicken, and Dawn had tandoori king prawns. It proved to be quite filling, and I went to sleep shortly after returning to the palace at midnight.

Good thing, too, since I had to wake at 5AM for the flight to London Gatwick. The British Aerospace 146 jet was filled, and I was in the back row. There were only 13 rows, I'll admit. I slept soundly through the flight.