Giants Down Devils in Cardiff

Gabe Bast, Zak Galambos, and Ben Lake all struck in the middle frame before J.J. Piccinch added on in the third to make the result safe as a 32-save performance from Jackson Whistle helped Adam Keefe’s men to extend their lead at the top to seven points.

First Period

Good work behind the net from Bobo Carpenter set up the first chance for Pierre-Olivier Morin, but his effort was just over the bar before the Giants did well to kill off a tripping minor on Mike Lee. Whistle made a sharp save to deny Brett Perlini in close, and Ciaran Long saw a big opportunity in close clear the net as well.

A boarding penalty against Reid Duke gave the Giants their first powerplay of the night, but despite some sustained pressure around Mac Carruth’s net, including David Goodwin hitting the side netting, the puck couldn’t be forced in, while Whistle was strong enough to deny Duke on the breakaway as he burst out of the box.

Despite the Giants being on top for most of the period, it was the Devils who forged ahead at 15:56 as Evan Mosey’s shot was tipped in at the crease by Ryan Barrow (1-0). Whistle once again had to be alert to prevent Kohen Olischefski from doubling the hosts’ advantage just before the buzzer.

Second Period

Cardiff burst out of the blocks fast in the middle frame. Still, it was the Giants who tied it up at 23:54 as Bast produced a moment of magic, stepping inside his man and picking the top corner with a phenomenal shot (1-1). The visitors could have taken the lead shortly after when a 4-on-2 break saw Galambos shoot over, and then Scott Conway just missed with a follow-up effort.

But the Giants didn’t have to wait long to pull ahead, and it was Galambos who was found joining the rush by Morin and his shot from the right circle was pinpoint accurate to find the top corner at 28:32 (1-2), and that goal firmly tilted the momentum the way of Keefe’s side.

He didn’t have to face much traffic in the second period, but Whistle was on hand to glove down a dangerous Joey Martin effort as the Devils forward broke shorthanded after Barrow was penalised for boarding, and he was rewarded when Lake made it a two-goal game on the powerplay, smashing in at the back door after patient build-up from Jordan Kawaguchi at 37:33 (1-3).

Third Period

A delay of game penalty to start the third period on the Giants gave the Devils an early chance to open the scoring. Still, Whistle made two fantastic saves on Josh MacDonald and Martin, while the Giants failed to connect on a powerplay of their own as Duke sat the second of his double-minor for high-sticking held over from the second period.

But the fourth would come for the Giants, and it was a superb link-up from the top line as Conway worked tenaciously behind the net to feed Goodwin back in front, and he set up Piccinich for the tap-in at 48:16 (1-4). That top line nearly connected for a fifth shortly after, only for Goodwin to hit the crossbar rushing in from the left circle.

The Devils had an avenue back in when Kyle Osterberg was pinged for tripping, but Whistle was barely tested, although he did make an excellent double save after the powerplay to deny MacDonald, but that was as close as Cardiff would get to hitting back as the Giants closed things out comfortably for the win.

Next Up

Next up, the Stena Line Belfast Giants remain on the road, taking on the Fife Flyers on Saturday 1 February before a trip to Dundee Ice Arena to take on the Stars on Sunday 2 February. Tickets for the Giants’ return to home ice against the Guildford Flames on Saturday 8 February are on sale now and available to purchase here.