Giants Take Four Points with Back-To-Back Wins Over Flames

Kohei Sato, Daniel Tedesco and Will Cullen were all on the scoresheet while Jackson Whistle turned in another stellar performance in goal by turning away 18 of the 19 shots that came his way as Adam Keefe’s men racked up back-to-back wins on home ice.

First period

The Giants burst out of the blocks inside the opening 30 seconds, Jeff Baum having a shot saved by Taz Burman in the Flames goal and David Goodwin unable to turn in the rebound, but the best early save of the game came from Whistle as he denied Matt Tugnutt, who skated in one-on-one off a turnover along the blue-line.

Burman came up with another big stop as Tedesco fed the puck across for Goodwin but his effort in close was denied but it wouldn’t be long until the Giants were ahead and it came at 10:40, Jacob Friend hitting Ciaran Long with the stretch pass and the winger feeding Sato for the one-time finish from the right circle. (1-0)

Guildford wouldn’t be long in tying it, though, and the leveller came at 11:11 as Peter Crinella found a stunning finish from the left circle (1-1), although the Giants were close to retaking the lead almost straight afterwards as Cullen found Sean Norris steaming into the zone but Burman shut the door in close.

Belfast was able to see off an interference call on Davy Phillips thanks to a couple of good saves from Whistle and with only a few seconds left on the period Baum almost scored as he went coast-to-coast but just put his shot wide.

Second period

A slashing call against Bradley Lalonde after the buzzer for the first intermission saw the Giants go on an early powerplay but they couldn’t capitalise, but they would go back ahead at 25:27 as Long once again played provider as he skated in on goal and, although his shot was saved by Burman, Tedesco was sweeping in behind for the rebound. (2-1)

Long nearly had a third helper as he played a one-two with Cullen at the net but the defenceman couldn’t finish it off, while a boarding call on Bobby MacIntyre didn’t stop the Giants from being offensive and Mark Cooper almost grabbed a shorthanded marker on the breakaway with Ben Lake but for a great stop from Burman, and then Ara Nazarian hit the post.

The end of the period was beset by penalties, Miles Gendron and Ryan Hughes both getting simultaneous roughing calls, while the Giants got a powerplay as Matt Alvaro was penalised for cross-checking and embellishment at the same time MacIntyre was boxed for interference, but the home side would be unable to connect on the man advantage.

Third period

Both teams had powerplay chances early in the third as Tugnutt (tripping) and Lake (slashing) spent time in the box, but it was on the Giants’ second go on the powerplay of the period - Lalonde called for high-sticking - that they got their third, Cullen picking the top corner from the left circle at 48:00. (3-1)

MacIntyre was unfortunate not to grab a fourth when he shot from the left circle and saw Burman deflect it wide with his glove, but the Giants were able to close the game out comfortably as Flames forward Turner Ripplinger was ejected for roughing and cross-checking and, along with a cross-checking call on Steven McParland, the home side were able to cruise to the final buzzer.

Next up

The Stena Line Belfast Giants host the Dundee Stars at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Saturday 23 March before travelling to the Fife Flyers on Sunday 24 March. Tickets available HERE.