20 Years to the day when the Belfast Giants first took to the ice at the then Odyssey Arena, and despite the game being suspended through the pandemic, Patrick, Day, Simon and Joel return to discuss the legacy that team left behind them. https://soundcloud.com/avftb/avftb-still-game We also look at the current scenario on the table, the... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Nick Kuiper
Picking up an EIHL Title in 2012, Nick Kuiper gained a reputation not only as a gritty hard-nosed D-man, but as one of the real characters of the Belfast Giants locker room. He goes One on One with Joel Neill to discuss a career that spanned NCAA, a heavily NHL laden AHL, Sweden, Finland, Austria... Continue Reading →
A View From The Bridge – 15 Years of Podcasting
On the 15th Anniversary of the podcast's debut, long time host Patrick Smyth looks back at how the show has endured this long When Aaron Kernohan approached me in 2005 with the idea of starting a podcast, I only had a vague idea what one was. The technology was in its infancy. You could only... Continue Reading →
Archive: Playoffs 2007, Live at Bunkers
Next Tuesday marks 15 years since the first edition of A View from the Bridge. To mark this, we are delving into the archives to find some of the episodes that made the podcast what it is today. We begin with the first ever "Live Recording" of AVFTB which took place on Saturday 7th April... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Land of Confusion
The 2020-21 Elite League Season has been suspended. This came as little surprise to most given the uncertain times we live in, yet it still came as a massie disappointment to those of us so used to following the Belfast Giants across the Autumn and Winter months. A View from the Bridge reflects on the... Continue Reading →
‘The People Will Not Forget’: EIHL Announces Suspension of 2020/21 Season
Words: Joel NeillThese views are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Belfast Giants, EIHL or Odyssey Trust I think in our heart of hearts we all knew what today would bring, but it’s a surprising kind of painful to see it in black and white. The Elite Ice Hockey League has... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Doug Christiansen
Title Winning Coach Doug Christiansen is the latest to take on AVFTB, One on One. In a wide ranging interview Doug discusses his move to the Giants, picking up the title, the turbulence of the ownership changes, Landshut, his current role in the game, the Green Bay Packers and much much more. We greatly appreciate... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Todd Kelman
One on One with AVFTB this time is former #44 for the Belfast Giants, Todd Kelman. In this first part Todd looks at his beginnings in Alberta and how an injury in Junior hockey almost ended his career before it began. How did the opportunity to play in Europe come about and why didn't Dave... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Darcy Murphy
Going One on One with AVFTB in this edition is the two time Challenge Cup champion, Elite League Champion and all round Speed and Scoring Superstar, Darcy Murphy. He chats to Simon about his college days before going in depth on his two seasons in teal.. what was that Title run in like? And how... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Colin Shields
The next player to go One on One with AVFTB is the All-Time Leading Points Scorer for the Belfast Giants, Colin Shields. In Part 1 Colin chats about his early days in the game, travelling to University and playing in North America, Before returning to the UK with the Giants, his time on the 2005-06... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Adam Keefe
Adam Keefe is the latest to go One on One with A View From The Bridge. The Head Coach chats to Simon about his early beginnings on Prince Edward Island and what then became expected of him in the OHL. In a career that spans North America before settling to life in Belfast, Adam shares... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Aaron Murphy
In the latest One on One, FreeSports and Premier Sports Aaron Murphy chats to us about growing up in a remote but passionate hockey community in Newfoundland. How his current career in Europe nearly didn't happen and what drives his passion for the game. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor FM, Breaker, Cast Box,... Continue Reading →
AVFTB: One on One – Simon Kitchen
In the first of a new series for the off season, Simon Kitchen chats with Davy McGimpsey about growing up with the game in Northern Ireland. In the first part the lads chat about the opening of the Ice Bowl, the influential figures and coaches in the early days, and just how close Simon came... Continue Reading →
Podcast: We’ll Be Back!
The Elite Ice Hockey Season was brought to a premature conclusion due to the COVID-19 crisis that has enveloped the entire globe. There will be no 2019/20 EIHL Champion, No playoffs and global sport has been put on hold for the foreseeable future as the world comes to terms with thats going on and what... Continue Reading →
BREAKING: Belfast Giants Season Over As EIHL Cancels All Remaining Fixtures
When professional sports leagues across the world began falling like dominoes this past week, as a result of the global COVID-19 / Coronavirus pandemic- it seemed like only a matter of time until the Elite Ice Hockey League followed suit. The word from league officials perhaps came much later than many would have liked- the... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Wash Your Hands!
Only one game this last weekend and a win for the Giants, but did it inspire confidence in the run in? Simon, Patrick and Davy chat about the Giants and where they sit as the final games of the season are upon us. Or are they? The spread of COVID-19 has brought league campaigns in... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Up In Flames?
As the EIHL reaches the final few weeks of the regular season, the Giants look to put one last fight in to retain their title. 3 points at home to the Flames with a spirited showing on Saturday to get to OT will be discussed on this weeks AVFTB. Patrick, Simon and Davy are joined... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Fifty!
The Giants continue to go 50% on their weeks performances, this time 3 points from the 6 available in battles against the Flames, Storm and Steelers. Simon, Davy and Patrick return to look back at what went right and what went wrong in the weeks games. Kevin Raine speaks to AVFTB about his new venture... Continue Reading →
#BleedTeal100 Reaches Fifty Donations
The #BleedTeal100 drive for blood donations has reached the 50 mark, and the race is on to get as close to that target of 100 before the season comes to an end! 41 donors have provided 50 blood donations since the drive began back in September with the potential to help save the lives of... Continue Reading →
Giants Return To Action With Valentine Victory Over Storm
Alright! Hi! We're back! The Belfast Giants returned from literally all over Europe this week- as a domestic break to allow for Team GB's Olympic Qualifiers provided an opportunity for some much needed R&R for Adam Keefe's men. Giants fans, too, had enjoyed a mini break of their own- shedding the stresses of a competitive... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Two
2 games, 2 goals and 2 points each over the first 2 days of the 2nd month of the year. Giants and Devils split the points at the SSE, each gaining a regulation win on the Steelers who failed to pick anything from the weekend. And now with a weekend off for the Giants; Patrick,... Continue Reading →
Morgan Fights Riley As Single Devils Goal Splits Weekend With Giants
Last night's single goal thriller between the Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils was played on a knife edge. I'm pretty sure I could still feel the building reverberating from the thundering noise of the night before, as the Teal and Red Armies took their seats for Sunday's rematch. Elgin Pearce's power play goal was the... Continue Reading →
Giants Edge Devils In Single Goal Thriller
Instead of explaining it, let's just take a quick look at the brass tacks of why this weekend matters: But, as you well know, in this day and age Giants v Devils is never just about the points. We took their Challenge Cup. We took their League. They took our Playoffs. They took our Captain.... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Sound The Horn
A Four Point Weekend, AT LAST! The Giants took wins over Guildford and Glasgow with 10 goals in the back of the net over 2 games. Davy, Simon and Patrick chat about those wins, the departure of Rickard Palmberg and they ask your TFA questions to Ciaran Long. The lads cast their eye over the... Continue Reading →
Struggling Clan Defeated As Belfast Celebrates EIHL Pride Weekend
A virtual sell out was on hand Saturday night as the Belfast Giants returned home to face the free falling Glasgow Clan. So sorry was their state of affairs that recently retired Head Coach Zack Fitzgerald found himself suited up and ready to take to the ice alongside his remaining players. Belfast, meanwhile, were dealing... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Ten Mums, One Drum
Win on Saturday, Lose on Sunday, its happened a lot this season for the Belfast Giants and last weekend was no different. A thumping victory over the Clan was followed by a difficult loss in Sheffield. Patrick, Davy and Joel convene to discuss just what went on, 4 goals in 90s, and a controversial Check... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Game For All
Another weekend, another win/loss split for the Belfast Giants. What’s going on with the Boys in Teal? Is the quest to retain the title becoming too much of an ask, or can momentum be regained? Davy, Simon and Patrick talk about the victory over Sheffield and the disappointing trip to Guildford. Luke Fisher, Head of... Continue Reading →
Giants Topple League Leaders As Teal Army Remembers Stephen Clements
It's been a heavy week. As you will no doubt know by now, Northern Ireland suddenly and unexpectedly lost beloved BBC Radio Ulster DJ, and former Giants game night announcer, Stephen Clements this week. Moreover, in the years following his involvement with the club, Clements became a close friend of your Head Coach Adam Keefe.... Continue Reading →
Podcast: Stephen
The Giants had a battle on their hands against the Coventry Blaze this weekend, but still problems in scoring flare up. A View From The Bridge returns to assess what went right and what went wrong over the weekend at the SSE Arena. Patrick, Davy and Joel chat to D-Man, Ryan Lowney about his move... Continue Reading →