Bobby is back on the beat; IN THE LAND OF THE LBM.

Byline: NIGEL RINGLAND

THE LBM Belfast Giants have re-signed forward Bobby Robins in a effort to shake things up in the attacking department.

His physical presence should enable some of the Giants snipers to find more time and space on the ice to shoot and hopefully score the goals that have been somewhat lacking so far.

Robins scored 29 times and had 35 assists last season for 64 points in just 59 games and he'll take the place of the injured George Awada, who may miss the rest of the campaign because of a shoulder injury.

"Bobby is a guy who can take us to the next level, we know what he provides on the ice," said coach Steve Thornton

"He can put the puck in the net, he can hurt people with his hitting and he makes defencemen think twice when they go into the corners to retrieve the puck and that can create space for others, especially in front of the net.

"He's got great hands and good speed and if had remained healthy last season I'm sure he would have scored 30 goals."

Robins missed some games after throwing his shoulder out in a fight but with Sean McMorrow in the Giants line-up that shouldn't be an issue and his ability to do the dirty work in the corners should add an element that the team has missed this season.

UNBELIEVABLE

"That's a huge part of his game but we could talk for quite a while about what he's going to bring to the team. He's an unbelievable player, not flashy but he's a big power forward and he was one of the league's best last year.

"One of his real strengths as well is what he brings to the locker room. He brings life to the room and leadership. We need to strengthen our team and I think we've done that."

Thornton added: "I'll continue to make changes if I need to, we will have a successful team. The fact is we need to score goals and we're not doing that.

"We have guys who have great resumes and who have led other teams in scoring and are probably having a hard time sleeping right now. I have faith right now but it won't be an excuse all season.

"We have to score and if we don't then I'll have to do something about it."

The Giants face a home-and-away series with the Cardiff Devils this weekend with the home game on Saturday night at the Odyssey Arena followed by the return in the Welsh capital on Sunday.

It's the first two Elite League games between the sides this season with Cardiff off to a slightly better start. More surprising is that the Giants have played three games at the 'O' and have yet to win.

"Our record is definitely not good enough and I don't want to pretend to talk anything good about it right now.

"You have to win your home games in order to win the league and despite the fact that we've taken some positives from the performances the fact is you are judged by results, not by how well you played defensively or that you limited scoring opportunities.

"Those are things that might please the coaching staff but you don't see those reflected in the standings and that, at the end of the day, is what counts.

"It's disappointing we haven't turned the Odyssey into a fortress because you want to make it hard and intimidating for teams coming here. You want the crowd into the game early on but we've made it easy for teams and that has to change."

Face Off on Saturday is 7pm. Call the Odyssey Box Office on 9073 9074 to book tickets.

CAPTION(S):

TOP FORM Player coach Steven Thornton in action against the Newcastle Vipers on Friday night ROBINS RETURNS Good news for Giants fans as Bobby Robins is back next week