Belfast’s Got Talent as Giants show other skills off the ice

Mark Garside was described as the best third line centre in the Elite League by former Belfast head coach Doug Christiansen. His skills on the ice are well documented but what many didn’t know was his emerging talent as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Garside fronts his own band, and was spotted playing self-penned tracks in Belfast at the White’s Tavern. Garside was supported by other local acts like Ellis Phillips, Lazy Flies and Rory Millar and an excellent evening was had by all present.

However on another front where Garside is certainly more known has expressed a desire to see the 2013/14 Belfast Giants “go one step further” and win the Elite League and Playoffs in his 4th season in a Giants’ jersey.

At only 24 years of age, Mark re-signed for the Belfast Giants less than a week following the completion of the 2012/13 season when the Giants reached the Playoff Final but lost out to the Nottingham Panthers in overtime by “that one goal”.

Speaking to belfastgiants.com about the exciting future that Mark sees lies ahead for the Giants he said: “I picked up an injury late in the season which ruled me out of the Playoffs, that was difficult for me. Difficult not to be involved in the Playoffs at all and difficult also because we made it to the Playoff Final and it’s a wonderful occasion to be involved in.

“Losing the playoff final in overtime left a bitter taste in my mouth and I’m determined to help the Giants go one step further next season, in the League as well as the Playoffs. Last season we came close to winning the League, Challenge Cup and Playoffs only to lose out in the end each time and next season we need to take that extra step.”

When asked what fuelled his desire to sign on again with the organisation whose fans voted to award him ‘Unsung Hero’ last season, Garside spoke clearly with sincerity straight from the heart.

“I really enjoy the city of Belfast, you can’t help but be inspired while living here. I love how important the Belfast Giants are to the city and it’s an honour to be a part of the organisation. The Belfast Giants are an incredibly professional organisation to work for and us players are left with no excuses when it comes to delivering success on the ice.”

Let’s hope that spirit grows from within next season’s squad thus producing some silverware in the Odyssey Arena Trophy Case.

Now to another Giant that surprisingly has a talent more readily found in English and Welsh pubs, Jeff Mason, who was the top scoring Belfast Giant player in the BBC Radio Ulster Summer Club darts competition.

It seems he even out scored General Manager Todd Kelman plus Jeff’s on ice colleague Colin Shields in the competition to post an impressive 162 from his six darts. Jeff currently leads the way in the Summer Club darts competition with Ulster rugby coach Mark Anscombe in second place on 105.

Belfast Giants general manager Todd Kelman was able to score 78 but Colin Shields, the all time record points scorer for the Giants, managed just nine from his six throws. Lets hope he saving his scoring talent for Belfast Giants goal this season under new coach Paul Adey.

With Adey back from his family holidays his focus intensifies many fold to find the forwards required for the top two lines. Trying to secure new players that can generate those well-needed goals missing last season action now that the positions of goaltender and backup plus defensemen have been secured.