Elite League: Cloutier backs Giants for play-offs

Although his side finished bottom of the regular season league table and saw their play-off dream ended at the first hurdle, Cloutier steered his players to victory over all four of this year's post-season hopefuls.

And having assessed each of the four contenders - Coventry Blaze, Belfast, Nottingham Panthers and Cardiff Devils - Cloutier feels Belfast will have the egde overall if they play to their full potential.

The 36-year-old Canadian doesn't even feel his former club Coventry - who he led to the 2008 league title - will be the Giants' opponents in the final, instead losing out to Cardiff in Saturday's opening last four encounter.

"I just feel that Belfast have the best all-round team," said Cloutier.

"In Johnson, Jacobsen, Walsh and Cook I feel they have the best four import defencemen in the league and, in Jeff Szwez, they've also got the best power forward over here.

"He will be a key player to them getting past Nottingham but so will their rookie Craig peacock who scores big goals for them.

"As for Coventry, their defence is pretty banged up so they'll have to be strong as a unit and if Peter Hirsch is hot in goal then they could get past Cardiff, but I think the Devils will pip them."

Hull fared better against all four sides on home ice during the regular season, failing to beat any of them on the road, where they were heavily defeated on a handful of occasions.

Their biggest defeat of the season came at Belfast's Odyssey Arena in March when they lost 9-0, but they were also soundly beaten at Nottingham 9-1 in February.

And while there also heavy defeats at Cardiff and Coventry, Cloutier fared better back home where he masterminded wins over each of the top four, finally beating Coventry 2-1 in the last meeting of the regular season between the two at the end of February.

Belfast and Cardiff succumbed twice at Hull Arena, while Nottingham were defeated once.

Cloutier's play-off tips

COVENTRY BLAZE

Strengths: Paul Thompson, his teams are always well prepared.

Weaknesses: Their defence is banged up so they will need to be strong as a group.

Star man: Peter Hirsch, he is the key for the team to make it through to the finals. If he is hot then the team will be.

Secret weapon: Danny Stewart, he brings energy to the team, he lives for these types of games.

Finish? Lose in the semis to Cardiff. They are too banged up but you never know, they might pull it off.

BELFAST GIANTS

Strengths: Defense, best four import defensemen in the league.

Weaknesses: None.

Star man: Jeff Swartz, best power forward in the league, he will be the key player for team advancement.

Secret weapon: Peacock, rookie of the year, had a great year, will score big goals for them.

Finish? Champions.

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS

Strengths: Offensive force, they have the best offensive, skilled team in the league.

Weaknesses: Defense.

Star man: Kevin St-Pierre, will need to make big saves for the team in order to advance to the final.

Secret weapon: Bruce Richardson - the most complete player in the league.

Finish? Lose to Belfast in the semi-finals.

CARDIFF DEVILS

Strengths: Very physical team, well rounded, and the hardest working team out of the final four.

Weaknesses: Goaltending.

Star man: Ryan Finnerty, proven winner and leader.

Secret weapon: Wes Jarvis, under-rated defenseman, big heavy shot and has a big presence on the ice.

Finish? Lose to Belfast in final.