It may only have taken a second to leave Karl Boudrias’ stick and hit the back of the net, but the defenceman’s goal against the Coventry Blaze on Sunday was months in the making.
A firm believer in practice makes perfect, Boudrias set out during the off-season to work on his accuracy when shooting. When he picked the tiniest of gaps at the SkyDome and sent his effort in off the post on the way to a 6-1 win for the Belfast Giants, it was more than just a good shot at the right time.
“I worked on it a lot this summer and it’s nice it’s finally showing up for me,” beams the 24-year-old Canadian.
“It’s a shot I practiced a lot to get it right there. I’ve probably shot 40 or 50 pucks before and after every practice to get the speed and the accuracy just right.
“This is why you work so hard in the season and over the summer. It was nice to see that one go in.”
The Giants are the beneficiary and, so far at least, Boudrias has been an astute piece of business from Adam Keefe and Steve Thornton. Signed mid-season from Slovakian side Nove Zamky after a long-term injury to forward Joe Cassetti, the Quebec native has settled in as if he is a veteran at the SSE Arena.
His goal in Coventry was his third of the season from the blue-line, and a +6 rating in 11 games is a reflection on his impressive start to life in the Elite League when sometimes it takes players months to bed in.
“I’m a skill guy but I’m also a physical guy. The Elite League is more physical than other leagues, so I knew it would fit me well. It’s a good match for me here in Belfast,” adds Boudrias.
“It’s not easy to get to another city and another country. The easy part about hockey is playing the game, the hardest part is everything else.
“Now I’m settled in, it’s nice to see that I can get results and the team is getting results. We’re in a good mood, we’re working hard.”
The weekend just past seemed like a vital one for the Giants as not only did they comfortably dismantle the second-placed Blaze on Sunday but that result came off the back of what was an essential overtime win at League leaders the Cardiff Devils a day prior.
Now up to fourth in the table and seven points back of the Welsh side with three games in hand, things are looking promising for Adam Keefe’s side as the schedule progresses towards a hectic festive period that features nine games before the end of this month, starting on Wednesday night when the Dundee Stars come to the SSE Arena (7.00pm).
“What I like is every game we’re focused, we’re dialled in,” says Boudrias, who has also been utilised as a forward on a couple of occasions this season.
“We give everything we have to win every game and it’s nice to see everyone doing their own thing. Some guys are scoring goals, some guys are setting them up, some guys are blocking shots — everyone knows their detail and what we need to do to win games. That’s awesome for me to see.
“We’re really proud of ourselves. It’s good to see those wins coming in. The feeling to get these wins against these big teams is good to have.
“It could be the start of something — I do think we’re heading in the right direction. We’re getting ready for a big game. Every game is play-off hockey so we know what we need to do.”