Flyers Out-Shoot Giants in Challenge Cup Group Crescendo

First Period

The visitors – playing in teal in this one – had the best of the early chances, with Kaleb Pearson’s shot tipped over before Patrick Guay was stopped at close range by Blake Pietila. At the other end, Mike Petizian was causing problems with his drive on net, followed by a pass that Reece Kelly couldn’t quite make contact with.

Pearson would shoot wide of the mark before Jake Kupsky produced a stunning save to deny Petizian. This would prove a catalyst for the visitors, and they took the lead on 13:11 thanks to Jordan Kawaguchi. The British Columbia-born forward registered his first goal of the season when he reacted quickest in front of the net after Mason Klee’s shot was blocked (0-1).

David Goodwin’s shot rattled the post despite the giants’ captain’s stick shattering as the visitors looked to tack on, but the hosts stayed in it and got an equaliser with just four seconds to go. It was Cameron Hough who finished after a nice assist from Xander Lamppa at 19:56, meaning we went into the first intermission all square (1-1).

Second Period

Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Pietila made a wonderful save to deny Nicolas Guay early on in the second before Klee hammered a puck just wide of the mark. Another Giants d-man had his shot handled by the Fife goalie as Pietila hung on to Jaeden Martin’s effort.

At the other end, the hosts had a great chance to take the lead through Cole Stewart, but he was denied by Kupsky. JJ Piccinich was then sat down for an interference call, but the Giants killed the penalty well, with only a Petizian shot causing any difficulties. Joey Pierce would then go to the penalty box as he served a delay-of-game penalty called on his netminder, and Adam Keefe’s men would take advantage.

It was Jake Gaudet who tipped home Mike Lee’s effort from in front at 37:10 to re-establish his side’s lead (1-2). Pierce did come out of the box and almost repeated the trick of equalising late, but his shot pinged back off the crossbar, meaning the Giants would lead going into the second intermission.

Third Period

The Flyers got back into the game early in the second with a short-handed goal. With Kyke Drabek in the penalty box for a boarding call, Hough capitalised on a loose puck and finished well past Kupsky to tie the game at 41:44 (2-2). The Giants goalie then repelled Zach Power as the hosts looked to build on that goal.

Soon after, it was the Giants’ turn to go on the offensive with Kawaguchi and Morten Jensen both denied by Pietila before Gaudet fizzed one over the top. As the clock ticked down, both sides tried to win the game in regulation, but neither Drabek nor Kawaguchi could finish, meaning the extra point would be decided in overtime.

Overtime

In the extra five minutes, Nicolas Guay had the first effort that was saved before the Flyers had two glorious chances to win the game. First, Power was denied superbly by Kupsky. After serving a penalty, Stewart broke out of the penalty box and bore down on goal, but Kupsky once again stood tall.

That meant the game would be decided by a shootout, and the Flyers raced into a lead thanks to Victor Bjorkung and Mika Partanen, which meant that, despite Kawaguchi’s successful effort, Pietila stopped Ciaran Long to secure the victory for the hosts, who qualified for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup as a result.

Up next

The Giants return to home ice next weekend with a double-header on Saturday and Sunday against the Guildford Flames in what will be their first home Motorpoint Elite League action of the season. You can purchase tickets to these and more here.