Giants Begin Flames 3 in 3 with Victory

The Giant's goals came from six different scorers, including a first of the season from veteran defenceman Mark Garside.

FIRST PERIOD

In Guildford’s first trip to The SSE Arena, Belfast this season, Tyler Beskorowany was the first to face a significant test in the Giants goal in the sixth minute, turning away a hard wrist shot from the right circle.

Belfast rallied, opening their account at 7:13 when Scott Conway wrapped the puck from behind the net, meeting David Goodwin at the crease to clip it home (Second Assist: Mark Garside). (1-0)

Scott Conway should have made it 2 in the 13^th minute, but his effort met the side of Kevin Lindskoug’s net.

A goal mouth scramble did produce Belfast’s second, however, as Lewis Hook struck his own rebound from the right post at 15:59 (Assist: Tyler Soy). (2-0)

SECOND PERIOD

Mark Garside recorded his first goal of the season early in the middle period, sending the puck home from an impossible angle unassisted at 21:45. (3-0)

Robert Lachowicz found an opening and broke away over the blue line after the drop, but Beskorowany closed the door.

It was four for Belfast at 24:52 when Ben Lake found a tip on Kevin Raine’s one timer from the blue line (Second assist: Sam Ruopp). (4-0)

Flames goalie Kevin Lindskoug had seen his last action of the game, being replaced by Canadian backup Liam Hughes.

Much like recent weeks, a Cam Knight hooking penalty at 27:04 looked more like a Belfast power play as Sam Ruopp found two opportunities on the breakaway.

Belfast went 0 for 1 on the power play as Spencer Trapp sat for hooking at 33:08, and save for Darcy Murphy coming close with three minutes remaining, the score remained unchanged for the remainder of the period.

THIRD PERIOD

Belfast couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the third, as Alex Yuill was handed a double minor for slashing and unsportsmanlike conduct at 40:47. Slater Doggett wasted no time, converting Jordan Boucher’s effort at the back door at 41:11. (5-0)

The Flames struck back on a power play of their own courtesy of Jake Bolton at 44:11, as Darcy Murphy sat for cross checking at 43:54 (Assist: Ian Watters, John Dunbar). (5-1)

Alex Yuill returned to the box at 44:33 for slashing. Not only did Guildford weather that particular storm, they struck a second at 54:46 as Jake Bolton doubled his tally unassisted. (5-2)

However, it was little more than a consolation goal as Scott Conway struck Belfast’s sixth at 56:00, assisted by David Goodwin and JJ Piccinich. (6-1)

UP NEXT

The Stena Line Belfast Giants face the Guildford Flames again at The SSE Arena, Belfast tomorrow, facing off at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale HERE!

Photography by Darren Kidd.