✍️ Wednesday View: The man fans love to hate
In defence of Scott Conway
Belfast Giants and their fans have spent the week celebrating another title triumph after the drama that saw Sheffield Steelers lose a late goal in Coventry, which proved decisive.
Reaction across social media has been as you would expect with non-Belfast fans claiming they’ve been the worst champions of the EIHL era (really?) while the Giants have enjoyed digging out old tweets from rival fans where they were written off.
All pretty standard whenever a team goes on to achieve some kind of glory and we’ve seen it for years now as rivalries rise to the surface amidst the passion.
What was interesting was the amount of flak delivered to Belfast forward Scott Conway, a man no stranger to a Twitter/X spat and someone who does enjoy a wind up.
He took to social media in the aftermath of the game in Nottingham and posted, simply: “Well that was easy…”
Straight away, fans from across the country were all over him. Giants fans loved the craic and weren’t slow in telling him. Other fans weren’t exactly quick to offer congratulations.
One fan wrote: “Why the need for disrespect! This weekend I saw 2 great teams battling it out. We haven’t disrespected your efforts and have in fact congratulated you, so why disrespect us in this way.
“There is no need. Not that you care, but no wonder you’re the league’s second most hated man.”
Another wrote: “Conway you are a massive c***. I hope Tansey puts you through the boards at playoffs you s***house c***. F*** you.”
So, there you see the extreme of what such a post has caused by way of reaction.
He then asked the question about “any updates tonight?” – referencing the ongoing backward and forward between Giants and Steelers, started by Sheffield when they posted Giants’ losses.
It’s classic pantomime. If he came out on to the ice with dark eyes and a beard, laughing a menacing laugh, you would boo him in a heartbeat.
As an outsider it’s been lots of fun to watch. After all, who can forget his rant about Scottish referees when he left the Giants following his first spell in May 2023?
He’s not someone who takes things lying down and if there’s an issue, Conway will be the first to let you know. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s the way he is. No apologies are necessary.
But there’s no taking away from the record he has, particularly in teal where his 287 points (127 goals and 160 assists) from 201 games is a fantastic feat.
He’s a three-time league winner, three-time Challenge Cup winner and now looking for a second play-off crown as the Giants look for the treble for the second time in three years.
Now, here’s a question, taking his personality out of the equation and the way he comes across on social media, wouldn’t you take Conway in your team in a heartbeat?
Being honest with yourself, with those sorts of numbers to back up what he can do, of course you would. Players of that calibre are hard to reject.
Conway is the classic player that you hate because he plays for a rival team, but you would love him your team’s colours, racking up the points and yes, winding up your rivals.
We’ve seen a good many players grace the ice in this league with that kind of persona – the online troller and panto baddie, but also the player who delivers on the big nights and, often, is an absolute gent face to face.
Conway is good at it and if he’s finding a way to get under your skin, then it’s working. Put it this way, if he was actually on a fish trip, he would definitely need a bigger boat.
All that aside, it would be interesting to see how many of those fans who take the bait whenever Conway is on the wind up would secretly have him in their team. We reckon a high percentage.
What seems apparent is Conway and Belfast fit perfectly and they’ll be hoping he’ll stay in Northern Ireland for at least another campaign.
If he does decide to stay, that will be one “update” Steelers fans in particular could do without.
🥹 BYE BYE BATCH
As we were starting to put the finishing touches to this edition, the news came out that Cardiff’s defenceman Josh Batch was leaving the club at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old has been a mainstay at the club for the last 13 years and his decision, while a sad one, gives everyone a chance to celebrate the incredible career he’s had.
He said in a statement on the Cardiff Devils website: “It’s with a heavy heart that I write this, but I’ve made the decision that the time has come for me to step away from the team after this season ends.
“There have been so many special moments over the years - lifting the first Challenge Cup, the back-to-back league titles, and of course the playoff trophies - but it truly is the people I’ve met along the way who have made my time here so special.
“My decision has come over the course of the season, as I’ve reflected on my family’s future and ultimately what would be best for us in the long term.
“As a professional athlete, there has always been a lingering anxiety about life after sport, and I’m at the point now where I feel the opportunity cost of continuing to play is outweighed by the potential opportunities that lie ahead outside of the game.”
We wish all the very best to Josh and his family for the future.
🏟️ AROUND THE RINKS
Time to round up some of the other stories that have been happening in the last couple of days as we build up to the play-offs this weekend.
🐆 Another late bit of news came in as Nottingham Panthers captain Sam Herr announced he would be hanging the skates up at the end of the season. He spoke with Panthers TV to reflect on his career and his decision
🟣 Issues with the ticketing system have caused problems for Glasgow Clan ahead of their play-off quarter final first leg with Sheffield Steelers. A statement was issued explainin the situation - Glasgow Clan on X
💪 Another Belfast legend has been added to the list of former heroes turning out for Adam Keefe’s testimonial in June with Colin Shields MBE the latest to be announced - Belfast Giants on X
🐉 Coventry Blaze looked ahead to their play-off last eight clash with Cardiff Devils - Coventry Blaze website
🇬🇧 Glasgow Clan’s Joe Hazeldine spoke his delight after he received his first call-up for the Great Britain national team for the World Championships later this month - Glasgow Clan website
👋 The Fife Flyers team came together once more, bringing the curtain on the campaign with a farewell event for the fans as they headed into the off season - Allan Crow on X
⛈️ It was a last lap for retiring Manchester Storm captain Cam Critchlow as he said goodbye to the Storm Shelter - Manchester Storm on X
📅 PLAY-OFF LINE-UP
1️⃣ BELFAST GIANTS 🆚 8️⃣ DUNDEE STARS
First leg: Saturday 12th April at SSE Arena, Belfast (Face off 7pm - Tickets)
Second leg: Sunday 13th April at Dundee Ice Arena, Dundee (Face off 5pm - Tickets)
2️⃣ SHEFFIELD STEELERS 🆚 7️⃣ GLASGOW CLAN
First leg: Friday 11th April at Braehead Arena, Glasgow (Face off 7:30pm - Tickets)
Second leg: Sunday 13th April at Utilita Arena, Sheffield (Face off 4pm - Tickets)
3️⃣ NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS 🆚 6️⃣ GUILDFORD FLAMES
First leg: Saturday 12th April at the Spectrum, Guildford (Face off 7pm - Tickets)
Second leg: Sunday 13th April at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (Face off 5pm - Tickets)
4️⃣ CARDIFF DEVILS 🆚 5️⃣ COVENTRY BLAZE
First leg: Saturday 12th April at Skydome, Coventry (Face off 7pm - Tickets)
Second leg: Sunday 13th April at Vindico Arena, Cardiff (Face off 6pm - Tickets)
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We’ll be back on Friday, as we look ahead to a massive weekend ahead in the play-offs.
See you then!