Posted on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Any slight hopes that Belfast have of overhauling Coventry at the top of the table were kept alive with this slender win. Goaltender Stephen Murphy recorded his 7th shut out of the season, he has now shut out 5 of the teams in the league with only Coventry and Sheffield still on his radar.
A double from Jeff Szwez was the difference between the teams as he netted early in the first period and then with Cardiff possibly contemplating pulling Lyle he netted again late in the third.
Jeff Szwez (32nd) got the only goal of a tight first period as he netted on the powerplay at 4.35.
The second period saw both teams up the ante with 28 shots in the period, 16 for the home team and 12 for the visitors. But GB goaltenders Murphy and Lyle turned everyone of them away.
Inside the first minute of the third period Belfast had a great chance to increase their lead as Jay Latulippe was binned on a 2+2 for accidental high sticks. But Cardiff kept themselves in the game as they killed off the 4 minute penalty. Any chance Cardiff had of sending the game into overtime was killed off as Jeff Szwez (33rd) netted his second goal of the game at 58.53.
Period Scores: 1-0, 0-0, 1-0
Penalty Mins: Bel 4 Car 6
Powerplay: Bel 1/2 Car – 0/2
Shots On: Stephen Murphy 26 – Stevie Lyle 32
Referee: Morray Hanson
Game Note:
Belfast’s second goal was their 700th goal scored in all EIHL league games at home
© 2008 Belfast Giants Limited, unless otherwise stated. Imagery © Michael Cooper Photography.
