Giants Miss Opportunity To Close The Gap On Coventry

Posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

The LBM Belfast Giants last night failed to capitalise on Coventry loss at the hands of the Cardiff Devils on Saturday night as the Giants also fell victim to Cardiff 14 in 17 home record at the Cardiff Bay Ice Arena this season.

The impressive home form of the Devils continues they have now won 14 of their 17 league games – they have second best record at home, only Nottingham have a better record on home ice.

Devils had four different scorers Gerad Adams, Wes Jarvis, Matt Towe and Mark Richardson, with the latter three netting on the powerplay. Giants solitary marker also came on the powerplay from Pat Bateman.

There were 80 minutes in penalties in the game, but it wasn’t a dirty game it was the fact that four players all picked up 10 minute misconduct penalties. The guilty players were Devils Brad Voth and Giants Tom Walsh, Pat Bateman and Shane Johnson. Voth along with Sean McMorrow also got a major for fighting.

In fact it was the Giants who opened the scoring with 3.20 on the clock as Pat Bateman (20th) took advantage of the extra man. They were unable to hold on to the lead for very long as Matt Towe (7th) on the powerplay at 6.30 got the home side back on level terms. Devils Player/Coach Gerad Adams (5th) netted at 10.05 to give his side a one goal lead at the first break.

Cardiff increased their lead to 3-1 early in the second period as Wes Jarvis (16th) was on hand at 22.21 to convert on the powerplay. Mark Richardson (5th) added the fourth and final goal also on the powerplay at 25.55.

The third period was goalless and Cardiff got the win that saw them cut the deficit to six points on third place Belfast.

Period Scores: 2-1, 2-0, 0-0
Penalty Mins: Car 29 Bel 51
Powerplay: Car 3/6 Bel – 1/5
Shots On: Stevie Lyle 37 – Stephen Murphy 30
Referee: Michael Hicks