The Stena Line Belfast Giants defeated Coventry Blaze on Friday night as four final period goals gave the home side a 7-4 win. Both sides meet again on Saturday at The SSE Arena, face-off 7pm.
Jackson Whistle was again impressive in the Giants net and helped his claim claim the two points which sees Belfast stay in second, three points behind the Cardiff Devils who have played two games less.
Scores Level After Opening Period
The Giants opened the scoring after 5:46 when Jim Vandermeer slotted the puck low past Kevin Nastiuk, assisted by Brendan Connolly and Sebastien Sylvestre.
Danick Paquette equalised at 7:30 on the powerplay, assisted by Adam Courchaine.
Game Comes To Life In Second
Danick Paquette grabbed his second of the game at 28:00 with another powerplay strike, assisted by Ryan Dingle and Jordan Pietrus. Brett Robinson gave the visitors a 3-1 lead at 28:21 when he scored another powerplay goal, assisted by Ryan Dingle and Jordan Pietrus.
Colin Shields pulled one back for the Giants at 29:19 when he redirected Steve Saviano’s shot into the Blaze net.
Steve Saviano was involved in the Giants equalising goal at 32:45 when he broke away and fed the puck to Darcy Murphy who fired high past Nastiuk.
However the Blaze has the last word in the middle period when Jordan Pietrus fired home the go ahead goal at 33:12, assisted by Brett Robinson and Dax Laywers.
Four Final Period Strikes
The Giants equalised again, this time at 44:24, when Sebastien Sylvestre picked up on the loose puck and took full advantage.
Brandon Benedict edged the hosts into a 5-4 lead at 47:30, assisted by Steve Saviano. The Giants grabbed their second goal inside 16 seconds when Brendan Connolly’s wrister ripped into the Blaze net at 47:46.
John Kurtz gave Belfast a three goal advantage at 51:41, assisted by Jonathan Ferland and Sebastien Sylvestre.
Final Score:
Stena Line Belfast Giants 7-4 Coventry Blaze
Photo: PressEye
