Semi-Final Still in Balance After Battle in Coventry

First Period

The hosts got out to an early lead after less than two minutes when Jack Hopkins picked up a loose puck in the left circle and, after bearing down on the net, he got the better of Alexis Gravel from a narrow angle. (1-0) Despite this early setback, the Giants went on the offensive with Scott Conway and Mike Lee having the best of their early chances.

These chances eventually paid off when Ben Lake positioned himself perfectly in front of the net to tip home Gabe Bast’s shot to tie the game. (1-1) This was Bast’s 100^th all-time assist in Elite League play and brought the visitors back on level terms.

It was a back-and-forth first period and Gravel had to react well to stop Matthew Gleason while Mat Robson at the other end tipped Conway’s shot into the screen. However, a favourable bounce off the boards from an Alessio Luciani shot fell to Blaze captain Kim Tallberg in front of the net and he made no mistake to give his side the lead at the first intermission. (2-1)

Second Period

The Giants went on the search for another leveller early in the second and Bast’s long-range effort almost found its way through a crowd of bodies in front of the net. The Blaze then killed a penalty served by Colton Saucerman for high-sticking with minimal fuss before Robson made an unorthodox save from Lee whose shot appeared to lodge in between his helmet and shoulder pad.

The Coventry goalie then made a superb stop when Conway linked up with JJ Piccinich while Gravel’s first work at the far end came when he held on to Connor Russell’s shot. It was that Piccinich-Conway duo that did bring the visitors level at the midway point of the period when the latter of the two reacted quickest to the former’s blocked shot. (2-2)

Adam Keefe’s men had their tails up and no fewer than four players had attempts at poking the puck home from a net-front scramble while Bast had another chance blocked. Despite this pressure, it was the hosts who finished the second stronger with Luciani almost catching out Gravel before Grayson Constable showed a quick pair of skillful hands to beat the Giants goalie and send Coventry in ahead heading into the second intermission (3-2).

Third Period

The third period was a war of attrition as the hosts defended their lead and the visitors went in search of a third equaliser. Lake and Piccinich were both denied by Robson while Hopkins came close to his second when his effort was deflected just wide of the net. As the period wore on, it was largely one-way traffic towards Robson’s goal but the Blaze tender was standing tall and made a stunning double save off the stick of Ryan Smith.

He was then helped out by some brave blocks by his defenders in front of him. First, Saucerman got his body in the way of a Bo Hanson shot in front of the net before Smith Jake Gaudet couldn’t force the puck over the line despite digging hard in front. Then, with barely ten seconds left on the clock, Constable ensured his goal would indeed give his side the first leg advantage as he threw himself in front of a Lee shot.

Up Next

The Giants are on the road for a double-header in Nottingham this weekend against the Panthers before returning to home ice for the second leg of tonight’s Challenge Cup semi-final next Wednesday (18^th February) against the Blaze. Tickets for that one are selling fast but you can still purchase a limited amount here.