Giants Downed by Devils at Vindico Arena

First Period

The two sides wasted no time in putting each other’s netminders to the test, with Jackson Whistle and Ben Bowns called into action early to bat away good efforts by Jordan Kawaguchi, Josh MacDonald, and Tyson Helgesen.

After a Ciaran Long shot grazed the side of Ben Bowns’ net, Jackson Whistle produced a duo of impressive saves to deny Evan Mosey from giving the hosts an opening period lead. Shortly after, it was the away side’s turn to descend on the Devils’ goal, with Mike Lee coming closest to putting the Giants ahead.

After a period of end-to-end action, it was the two shot stoppers who continued to have the biggest influence on the game, as Josh MacDonald and J.J. Piccinich saw their on-target attempts thwarted by the pair of Team GB netminders.

Minutes before the interval, the Giants thought they had opened the scoring after Ryan Smith forced the puck into the back of the Ben Bowns’ goal. Smith’s goal was soon chalked off after Devils’ head coach Paul Thompson utilised a coach’s challenge and the officials deemed there to have been sufficient goaltender interference.

Second Period

Just moments into the second period, the Devils came close to bagging the first goal of the night after Mark Richardson saw his attempt ricochet off the frame of Jackson Whistle’s net.

Jackson Whistle was called into action soon after, making two huge saves to prevent Brandon Estes and Brett Perlini from opening the scoring.

After the Giants failed to capitalise on a good three-on-one opportunity and Karl Boudrias saw his shot rip just wide, the Devils were rewarded for their persistence as Jimmy Oligny’s shot finally breached Jackson Whistle’s goal to give Cardiff the lead with little over four minutes remaining in the period (1-0).

Third Period

The Devils came out the blocks fastest and started the final period similarly to how they ended the previous as Brett Perlini doubled the host’s lead after just two minutes (2-0).

Having neutralised a sustained period of Devils offence, the Giants got themselves on the board after J.J. Piccinich netted his third goal in all competitions to half the deficit with 15 minutes remaining in the period (2-1).

With Adam Keefe opting for six skaters, the Giants threw everything but the kitchen sink towards Ben Bowns’ goal. The Giants’ gumption was almost rewarded after a frantic goalmouth scramble saw the puck rattle off the Devils’ post. However, it wasn’t to be as the buzzer sounded to leave the Giants empty-handed in Cardiff Bay.

Next Up

The Giants return to The SSE Arena, Belfast for a double-header against the Guildford Flames on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December. Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase here.