The Stena Line Belfast Giants made it four wins in-a-row thanks to a 6-3 away win in Milton Keynes on Saturday. Two goals apiece from Darcy Murphy and Steve Saviano plus strikes from Colin Shields’ and Brendan Connolly gave the Giants an important third straight road win.
Saturday’s win in MK sees the Giants hold onto first place in the Elite League standings.
Murphy Cancels Out Nickerson Strike
Former Giants fan favourite Matt Nickerson broke the deadlock after only 83 seconds as he gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, assisted by Francis Verreault-Paul.
With Mele and Wiikman taking penalties midway through the opening period, the Giants took full advantage as Darcy Murphy, assisted by David Rutherford, struck on the resulting 5-on-3 powerplay.
Shields And Murphy Edge Giants Ahead
Colin Shields gave the visitors the go-ahead goal with only 82 seconds gone in the middle period, assisted by Spiro Goulakos, as the Giants edged into the lead for the first time on the night.
Soon after the Giants had extended their lead to 3-1, as Darcy Murphy finished well from right in front of the Lightning net, assisted by Ryan Martinelli and Spiro Goulakos at 26:40.
However the home side did not lie down and hit back immediately as Danny Kearney reduced the Giants advantage to one as he finished off a rebound at 33:00, assisted by Mele and Doucet.
Giants Take Control In MK
Brendan Connolly gave the Giants a two goal cushion at 46:39 when he finished off a sweeping move after a cool pass from Sebastien Sylvestre.
Steve Saviano made it 5-2 at 51:13, assisted by Jeff Mason, as the Giants took control in Milton Keynes.
Another former Giants netted for the Lightning as Jonathan Boxill made it 3-5 at 55:04, assisted by Carl Hudson and Paul Phillips.
However, with the MK netminder pulled, Steve Saviano took advantage, winning the puck in his own zone and skating the length of the ice to score into the empty net and seal the win for Belfast with his second goal of the game.
Final Score:
Milton Keynes Lightning 3-6 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Man of the Match:
#1 Jackson Whistle
Next Up?
The Giants complete their weekend’s action away against the Guildford Flames on Sunday at The Spectrum, face-off 6pm.
The Giants next home games are against the Edinburgh Capitals and Braehead Clan on Friday 29th December and Saturday 30th December respectively. Tickets are now on sale online at
ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office either in person or by calling
(028) 9073 9074.
Photo: Tony Sargent
