Giants Clinch Six Point Weekend in Guildford

A late power play goal from Tyler Soy made the difference, along with goals from Jordan Boucher and David Goodwin (2).

FIRST PERIOD

The final meeting of this weekend’s mini-series started well for the Belfast Giants, as Jordan Boucher crossed the blue line unassisted at 2:19 and wristed a shot from the right circle which sailed past Flames goalie Kevin Lindskoug. (0-1)

The Guildford Flames grew into the encounter after the drop and were rewarded at when Ian Watters found Mike Crocock at the right side of the blue line. His wrist shot ripped through traffic and beat Beskorowany at 6:02 to tie the game. (1-1)

As the period reached the halfway point, the Flames continued their ascendency and looked dangerous when a pass from behind the net to Scott Conway’s on Lindskoug’s right post was turned over for a breakaway, which Beskorowany denied.

SECOND PERIOD

The Guildford Flames edged a lead on the power play as Kevin Raine took the game’s first penalty at 21:13, when John Dunbar’s shot from the blue line was tipped down in front of goal by Ian Watters at 22:03. (2-1)

Lewis Hook crossed the blue line in possession and collided with Kevin Lindskoug’s right post at 24:29, sending Spencer Trapp to the box for interference. The Giants came close when David Goodwin was denied at the back door in stunning fashion by a Lindskoug pad save, but the Flames returned to full strength.

Goodwin made amends in the dying moments of the period, ripping a nearside wrist shot from the low right circle at 38:38 to tie the game (Assist: Jeff Baum). (2-2)

THIRD PERIOD

As word filtered through that the Sheffield Steelers had dropped another point in Dundee, the Teal Army braced themselves for a massive third period.

It looked to have had the perfect start as Chris Gerrie sat for high sticking at 41:24, but Belfast’s power play was short lived as Scott Conway followed for illegal equipment at 41:53.

However, as they have done all season, the Giants found a way to make it work when David Goodwin struck from close range, 4 on 4, at 43:16 (Assist: Jordan Boucher, Jeff Baum). (2-3)

The rollercoaster ride continued at 43:58 when Guildford responded to tie the game again, courtesy of Ian Watters (Assist: Jake Bolton, John Dunbar). (3-3)

There was little between the sides heading into the final ten minutes, but a John Dunbar high sticking penalty at 54:55 turned the game on its head as Tyler Soy found a crucial power play marker at 56:04 (Assist: Slater Doggett, Cam Knight). (4-3)

The Guildford Flames pulled Kevin Lindskoug in favour of the extra skater inside the last minute, and a time out followed.

As the hosts bore down in the Giants zone, Adam Keefe’s side defended bravely- sending the puck north on two occasions, before the clock expired on an utterly crucial six-point weekend.

UP NEXT

The Belfast Giants return home to the SSE Arena next Friday and Saturday for a highly anticipated blockbuster double header against the Sheffield Steelers, with huge implications in this season’s title race. Tickets for these unmissable games are on sale HERE!