Thornton's appeal against a nine-match ban is on Wednesday

Belfast Giants player-coach Steve Thornton has attributed his team's impressive start to the campaign to the "all-important depth" in the squad.

The Giants moved two points clear at the top of the Elite League by thumping Basingstoke Bison 8-1 on Sunday night.

"Right now in this league, we can afford injuries to an extent and still pick up points," said the Giants coach.

Thornton's appeal against a nine-match suspension imposed last week will be heard on Wednesday.

The Giants player-coach was alleged to have clashed with Newcastle Vipers' Andre Payette in last Sunday's game.

The Giants player-coach initially received a four-minute penalty for high-sticking but the Vipers made a complaint to the Elite League authorities and the nine-game ban was imposed.

With his appeal looming, Thornton was reluctant to comment on his suspension following Sunday's facile win in Basingstoke.

"I've been giving a gagging order in terms of speaking until we have the appeal," Thornton told BBC South.

Bison were missing some key players and it showed Belfast Giants coach Steve Thornton

"It's difficult for me to comment because we had three pretty tough games against Newcastle.

"We're obviously a team that's built for speed and they aren't. We came out of a lot of those games with injuries and you just want to make sure that you are been taking care of on the ice.

"We want to keep our guys here in the league that are skilled guys.

"We want to play hockey but it can get a reputation of being an absolute goon league that nobody wants to play in."

Thornton was delighted with his team's display against Basingstoke although he had a degree of sympathy for his injury-hit former club.

"Bison were missing some key players and it showed.

"That's not going to be something that happens too often this year and I think they are going to take a lot of scalps.

"When you're playing two games in two nights and you have a lot of bodies, it's difficult for guys."