Five-Star Win for Giants

Matt McLeod, Daniel Tedesco, Blake Speers, Ben Lake and Kohei Sato all found the net while Whistle shut the door at the other end to help the home side to their second win in three days in the Elite League, with the rematch on Saturday set to be another exciting clash.

First period

Before the game, the arena stood in memory of Blaze assistant coach Dayle Keen, who sadly passed away on Monday, and observed a minute’s silence, followed by a minute’s applause in tribute to the much-loved coach.

The Giants were having plenty of offensive zone possession but were struggling to get to Taran Kozun, although Sato fanned on a shot when Oliver Cooper worked the puck back in front and then McLeod couldn’t jam the shot home after some good work behind the net by Will Cullen.

A sprawling Whistle managed to keep out former Giants forward Johnny Curran when he got onto the rebound from Alexander Kuqali’s slapshot, and he made another great stop to pad away Kobe Roth’s smart redirect on David Clements’ effort, with Lake close to breaking the deadlock shortly before the first intermission for Belfast when he was found by David Goodwin all alone in the right circle but he fired wide.

Second period

Ara Nazarian nearly got the second period off to the perfect start for the Giants when he nearly tipped in Charlie Curti’s shot but, after Tyler Kirkup couldn’t stab home at the crease, the Blaze, the visitors would take the lead at 23:38 as Mitch Cook was able to stab in the rebound from Ian McNulty’s shot. (0-1)

But two goals in just over two minutes would flip the tie on its head, McLeod getting the Giants back on level terms at 27:03 when he tapped in the perfect saucer pass from Sato (1-1) and then Tedesco was on hand to glove down a loose puck in the slot and beat Kozun on the backhand at 29:08 for the go-ahead goal. (2-1)

Danny Kristo gave the Giants a reminder that the Blaze were still threatening as he broke in down the right and fired just over the cage and then Whistle had to make a huge stop to deny J.D. Dudek on an odd-man rush and Carter Allen hit the crossbar with a shot from the blue-line, with the Giants ending the period by playing out a boarding call on Josh Roach.

Third period

Another quickfire double from the Giants made the game safe early in the third, Speers getting on the board when he applied the perfect redirect to Cullen’s shot at 43:57 (3-1) and then Lake grabbed the fourth, skating onto Jacob Friend’s drop pass and smashing one into the roof of the net from the high slot at 46:21. (4-1)

Both sides failed to capitalise on powerplay opportunities as an interference call on Bobby MacIntyre went unpunished by the Blaze, then a slashing minor on Coventry defenceman David Clements was also scoreless, although MacIntyre had several chances on the man advantage that just wouldn’t go in.

But the fifth goal did come and what a finish it was from Sato, a fortunate bounce off the boards ending up right on the stick of the Japanese centre and he picked the top corner with a stunning finish at 54:19 to round off the scoring (5-1).

Next up,

The Stena Line Belfast Giants complete their home double-header against the Blaze on Saturday 2 March before gearing up for a massive away double-header with the Elite League leading Sheffield Steelers on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March. Tickets are available here.