Giants Open League Road Schedule With Win Over Fife

First Period

The hosts had the first opportunity of the night when Jackson Whistle did well to hold Ian Scheid’s effort. The Giants struck back with back-to-back chances from defencemen as both Mike Lee and Bo Hanson had efforts on goal with the former of the two forcing a save from Christian Purboo. The Ontario-born goalie then did well to stop Patrick Grasso by plunging on the puck at the second time of asking.

However, there was nothing that Purboo could do as Marcus Eriksson got his second goal of the weekend after good work from Brandon Whistle (0-1). Despite this setback, the home crowd roared their side on and, after Scheid had a shot tipped into the screen, Didrik Svendsen scored his first Fife goal just over two minutes later as we were all square just before the midway point of the first. (1-1)

While the visitors had more of the puck, they struggled to get clear chances on goal and the hosts had the best chance before the half with Keaton Jameson repelled by Whistle with the Belfast number one reacting well to prevent captain Garet Hunt on the rebound.

Second Period

After the restart, Ciaran Long came skating at speed towards the Fife net but could not find a finish. However, someone who could was Scott Conway as he re-established the Belfast lead five minutes in. That goal came about thanks to good work from Eriksson as the Swede did not give up on the play after his own near post shot was saved and, after retrieving it behind the net, he put it on Conway’s tape for a one-timer. (1-2)

This was a back-and-forth affair right from the start and it continued in that vein as the period wore on. David Goodwin was sat down for hooking and Jamie Russell’s men took full advantage with Ethan Somoza finishing off Jameson’s pass across the face of goal. (2-2).

The Flyers almost completely turned this game on its head shortly after as Josh Winquist found himself all alone baring down on Whistle but the Giants goalie stayed big to deny him. At the other end, Lee had a shot from the blue line that was saved and a scramble ensued in front but the puck could not be forced home. Period two would end all square at two despite late chances at either end for Mason Alderson and Jordan Kawaguchi.

Third Period

As play restarted after the second intermission, the game was very much in the balance. However, that balance began to tip in favour of the Giants and they retook the lead for the third time as Ryan Smith did well to control a puck in front of the net with his skate before finishing past Purboo (2-3).

Ultimately, the visitors would not relinquish that lead again despite Alderson coming close. Adam Keefe’s men would open up some breathing space as Goodwin unselfishly laid it on a plate for Nicolas Guay to finish when the captain could so easily have had a go himself (2-4).

There was still time for a fifth and it was Conway who got his second to well and truly ice what had been a feisty and hard-fought hockey game. He linked up beautifully with Eriksson as the two traded passes before Conway finished from in front (2-5) to wrap up the road win as the Belfast Giants began their Elite League title defence with a weekend double over the Flyers.

Up Next

After opening their league campaign this weekend, the Belfast Giants return to home ice on Saturday 25 October for their penultimate Challenge Cup group game against the Glasgow Clan. That game is a 7pm puck drop and you can grab tickets here.