Giants Make it Hell of a Night in Cardiff

Backed by a 32-save performance from netminder Jackson Whistle, Tedesco grabbed two in an impressive display from the top line, with Josh Roach, Greg Printz and Lake also on the scoresheet as Adam Keefe’s men kept their hopes of finishing second alive.

FIRST PERIOD

A thrilling first period started as it meant to go on as Jackson Whistle made a massive save to deny Ryan Barrow on a one-on-one after being set in by Jamie Arniel, before the Giants took an early lead as Roach’s shot from the half-boards was deflected in by a Devils skate after just 3:04 (0-1) before the Giants played out a delay of game call on Miles Gendron.

The Devils had an immediate pushback and Whistle had to make another huge stop to deny Justin Crandall after a nice pass from Cole Sanford, then to deny Arniel from Trevor Cox’s pass, but eventually the dam burst at 13:35 as Arneil managed to get in one-on-one with Whistle, drew the netminder out of position and dropped it back for Josh Batch to tap into the empty net. (1-1)

But the tie game wouldn’t last long as Tedesco put the Giants back ahead with a beautiful shortside finish on Tyler Wall from the right face-off dot at 15:53 (1-2), with the visitors ending the period by playing out the first 53 seconds of a double-minor on Printz for tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct.

SECOND PERIOD

A positive start to the middle frame saw Belfast play out the remainder of Printz’s penalties but they would be hit by a quickfire double from the Devils, Evan Mosey tying the game shorthanded on the breakaway at 24:23 (2-2) during Cox’s holding penalty, and then Cox himself gave them the lead shortly after at 25:58 when he tapped in a bouncing puck at the crease. (3-2)

Head coach Keefe called his timeout after the third goal and it worked wonders as the Giants looked renewed afterwards, and after Ara Nazarian had a big chance gloved down by Wall in front after a fantastic feed from Bobby MacIntyre, Printz tied it up again at 31:51 as he tipped in Will Cullen’s shot. (3-3)

It was the Giants who would finish the second period stronger, Ciaran Long denied by Wall on an odd-man rush and Ben Lake having an opportunity in front that was fired into the midriff of the goaltender but it would remain tied at the second intermission.

THIRD PERIOD

Once more it was down to Whistle to make some stunning saves early in the third period to keep the Giants level, Riley Brandt denied by the netminder’s shoulder before Brandon Alderson was prevented from the left circle, while at the other end Long was denied by Wall as he went between the legs with an audacious attempt.

Indeed, it was very much a battle of the netminders as once more Whistle came up with the goods with a wonder save to deny Barrow once more, while Long’s personal battle with Wall saw him denied on another one-on-one breakaway at the other end as the game ticked down into the dying stages.

But it would be the Giants who would win it, Lake fed in front by David Goodwin and burying the shot into the top corner at 54:39 for the game-winner (3-4) and then Tedesco made the result safe by firing home low from the mid-slot at 56:46 for the insurance goal (3-5), with Arniel hitting the crossbar in the final seconds as the Devils pushed for a comeback on the powerplay after Jacob Friend was penalised for fighting with Barrow in the final minute.

NEXT UP

Next up, the Stena Line Belfast Giants will renew acquaintances with the Devils on Sunday March 31, again at the Vindico Arena, after welcoming the Glasgow Clan to The SSE Arena, Belfast a day earlier on Saturday March 30. Tickets are available to purchase here.