Doug Christiansen is calling on his depleted Belfast Giants squad to send out a chilling message to their Elite League title rivals by putting together a Christmas winning streak.

Injuries, suspensions and the departure of Brock McBride to a club in Slovenia mean that coach Christiansen will only be able to call upon 12 skaters for Friday night’s Odyssey Arena clash with the Edinburgh Capitals.

Those difficult circumstances are threatening to wreck the Giants’ title dreams, but Christiansen is looking upon the upcoming games as the chance for his team to prove their credentials.

“I have asked the players to use this adversity to bring us together,” said Christiansen.

“If we can keep winning over the next couple of weeks while we are short benched, we’ll show the league how good a team we are. In January we will hopefully be back at full strength and in a better position to win games.

“As things stand, with the season at its halfway point, we are on course to reach 90 points — and no team in Elite League history has done that.”

It will be January before Aaron Clarke and Robert Dowd are able to return.

“We are focused on Friday and on trying to get the two points from Edinburgh,” said Christiansen. “After that the three games in five nights next week will be the test for us.”