HIGHLIGHTS: Devils 5 - 2 Giants
The Stena Line Belfast Giants fell to a 5-2 loss in Wales on Sunday against the Cardiff Devils.
The Stena Line Belfast Giants fell to a 5-2 loss in Wales on Sunday against the Cardiff Devils. Two goals in the final period, including an empty net goal from Jake Morissette, helped to extend the Devils’ lead at the top of the Elite League.
The scoreline flattered the Welsh side with the Giants firmly in the game until Morissette’s empty net finish at 58:09.
The Giants began the game with David Rutherford still missing from action however, just as in Saturday’s home win over Braehead, James Desmarais and Adam Keefe returned to the line up. Stephen Murphy took over the starting netminding duties.
The opening period threw up an enthralling 20 minutes of play as the two Elite League sides went end-to-end in search of an opening goal. However, despite an entertaining first period, both Stephen Murphy in the Giants net and Devils netminder Ben Bowns ensured the game would be tied at 0-0 going into the second period.
After a scoreless first period - the second period was anything but with five goals netted. The home side dominated the first 10 minutes of the period and quickly skated into a 3-0 lead.
First up, it was David Brine’s shot that flew into the visitors net at 23:01, assisted by Richardson and A.Hotham. The home side then scored twice inside 39 seconds through Sean Bentivoglio’s nice backhanded finish at 27:36 and Joey Martin’s slapshot at 28:15.
However the Giants recovered well, killing off a Devils powerplay midway through the period before scoring two goals within 77 seconds to put themselves firmly back into this Elite League clash.
It was Alex Foster who netted first through a cannon of a slapshot which ended up in Cardiff’s top shelf at 32:02. Then, at 33:19, Jim Vandermeer slotted the puck into the Devils net after Steve Saviano’s pass found the defenceman open at the back post to make it a 3-2 game after 40 minutes.
Into the final period and at 6:08 it was the Devils who grabbed an important fourth goal as Guillaume Doucet redirected the puck into the Giants net. With Stephen Murphy pulled for an additional out skater - the Giants piled the pressure on the Welsh side in search of a third goal. However Jake Morissette’s clearance from his own zone found it’s way into the empty Giants net with 1:51 left on the clock and sealed the win for the home side.
The Giants return to action next weekend with back-to-back away games against the Coventry Blaze on Saturday at 7pm and on Sunday against the Nottingham Panthers, face-off 4pm.
Final Score Cardiff Devils 5-2 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Man of the Match #9 Jim Vandermeer