It was as if the mere presence of David Goodwin inspired the Belfast Giants to be better, so to have their former treble-winning captain back in the fold for the remainder of the 2024/25 season could be the injection Adam Keefe’s side need to turn what is looking like a potentially special campaign into one that definitely is.
For the second straight year, the 32-year-old American wing has reversed his retirement call and made a comeback, showing a flair for the dramatic by announcing his return on the big screen during the first intermission of Saturday’s second game of their double-header with the Nottingham Panthers.
And before he has even stepped back on the ice, Goodwin seemed to have an effect on his team-mates as the Giants battled back from a 2-1 deficit after one period to claim their second win of the weekend over the Panthers, Ciaran Long’s third-period breakaway goal the game-winner in a 4-2 success to back up Friday’s 2-0 victory and keep them on the coattails of the Cardiff Devils.
Once he does make his return, though – which should come in Saturday’s clash with the Sheffield Steelers – Goodwin will unquestionably be a valuable asset, not just for his ability with the puck but also as someone who innately knows how to win in Belfast having claimed five trophies with the organisation.
Likely pencilled in to partner Scott Conway and J.J. Piccinich on a familiar and deadly line from the 2021/22 season, Goodwin excels as a playmaker as opposed to a goalscorer – he has 160 assists in 203 games for the club – which is exactly what the Giants need.
“It’s great to bring Goody back to Belfast again,” enthused Keefe.
“His leadership on and off the ice embodies what it means to be a Giant, and throughout his time in Belfast, he always stepped up and was willing to do whatever it took to win.
“Goody is a professional through and through, and his re-signing is a great boost.”
On the ice at the weekend, the Giants appeared to experience more deja vu as netminder Jackson Whistle produced two quality starts against the Panthers at roughly the same time he turned up the dial in 2023/24 and took over the starter’s jersey from Tyler Beskorowany.
A day after his third shut-out of the season, Whistle turned away 25 of 27 shots to help the Giants improve to 19-6-3, staying three points behind the Devils but with a game in hand.
Goals from Pierre-Olivier Morin, Bobo Carpenter, Long and an empty-netter from Conway completed the comeback after the Panthers had pulled ahead through a powerplay double from Kristoff Kontos and Mitchell Fossier.
“I thought it was a complete game from our guys. Exactly what we asked for,” praised Keefe.
“I was happy with the result (on Friday). Wasn’t happy with the way we got it, I suppose, or the amount of opportunities we gave Nottingham.
“The guys answered the bell in that category. We didn’t give Nottingham much at all. Obviously, their powerplays, they get on the board there, but I thought our guys were real good the whole game.
“To finally get rewarded with the Ciaran Long breakaway there, from that point on we did all the right things to manage that game.”