Hockey Belfast Giants Cameron Pound: It was bittersweet to score my first pro goal in a loss

But even though dad Ian was in attendance at Planet Ice Altrincham, something he didn’t think would happen when he scored his first professional goal, Belfast Giants defenceman Cameron Pound can’t bring himself to enjoy his special moment.

Jumping into the play on an odd-man rush late in the first period of their game against the Manchester Storm on Wednesday night, Pound received the dished pass from Blake Speers and slammed the puck home for his first goal since turning pro in November, wheeling away with a fist pump in celebration.

But now he looks back on it with bittersweet emotions, not only because nobody managed to recover the puck for him to keep but because it would prove to be a mere consolation in a loss, the Storm roaring back with five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win.

“You grow up your whole life thinking it’s a possibility, scoring a professional goal, and then it happens and mine is bittersweet,” grimaces Pound.

“It would feel nicer if we pulled together a win. It’s a bucket list, cool thing. It’s a shame we couldn’t get the win together.

“I’m competitive by nature. You take the positive, it’s a nice milestone, but I can’t get carried away by it — it’s one goal.”

One goal it may be, but for Pound it is just reward for what has been a seamless jump from college hockey to pro, the Solihull native taking to life in the Elite League like a duck to water after joining the Giants from St Mary’s University in Canada.

While a goal and six points in 26 games seems pedestrian, as a stay-at-home defenceman Pound’s role is keeping the puck out of his own net and he has done that superbly, and he has praised the likes of veterans Davy Phillips and Josh Roach for helping him flourish in the professional ranks thus far.

“College prepared me well. The large ice was definitely different. It catches up to your lungs fast to start off with. I got over that in the first few weeks, though,” he laughs.

“I’ve definitely grown as a player both on and off the ice. It’s a maturity. The change in level is definitely one aspect of it but part of it is the role models at the pro level. You’re always playing with guys the same age at college, there aren’t those role models who can shape you.

“Definitely have to give thanks to the veterans on the team for helping shape me into the player I am now.”

And while Pound might feel disappointed that his first professional goal was spoiled by the result in Manchester, the chance at revenge will not be short in coming for the Giants as the two sides lock horns again on Sunday at the SSE Arena (4.00pm).

It is also a chance for the makeshift Giants to have a bit of an easier weekend in terms of workload with just one game to navigate, which is no bad thing given the amount of injuries they have had recently, with eight players unavailable for that Storm game.

“As soon as we feel like we’re nearing a healthy line-up, someone else goes down. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team where we’ve had this many injuries,” says an incredulous Pound.

“Adversity, yeah, for sure. But the character that comes through is impressive. It can still be daunting when you look at the line-ups we have to put together but we’re working towards the same goal, which is great to see.

“And there’s nothing better than getting to face a team you should have beaten again. Getting the chance to write the wrongs and stick it to them, basically. Great opportunity.

“The one game might give guys the chance to rest up and get ready again. Good time for a one-game weekend.”