WATCH: Giants 5-2 Blaze
Five star Giants extinguish Blaze on Saturday night
Last updated 20th Mar 2017
The Stena Line Belfast Giants defeated the Coventry Blaze 5-2 on Saturday night to move three points clear of the third placed Sheffield Steelers. Two Colin Shields goals helped the Giants to the win on the final home regular season game.
The Giants got off to the best possible start, dominating the Blaze from face-off and their pressure told at 11:51 when Chris Higgins shot the home side into the lead, assisted by Blair Riley and Jerome Leduc.
However Brett Robinson equalised less than two minutes later when his shot from the blueline found its way into the Giants net at 13:50.
Colin Shields scored on the powerplay at 23:50, assisted by Steve Saviano and David Rutherford, with a slapshot that rifled into the Blaze net.
Shields grabbed his second of the night at 33:06 when his effort from close range, assisted by Blair Riley, squeezed past Brian Stewart in the Blaze net.
Into the final period and Josh Godfrey pulled one back for the visitors, assisted by Brett Robinson and Matt Marquardt at 50:05.
David Rutherford scored the Giants second powerplay goal of the game at 51:43, assisted by Colin Shields and James Desmarais. Michael Forney rounded off the 5-2 win with an empty net finish at 58:11, assisted by Blair Riley and Chris Higgins.
The Giants finish the regular season on Saturday and Sunday with back-to-back away games against the Cardiff Devils. After the visit to Wales, the Playoffs begin!
The Giants home Playoff quarter final will take place on Saturday 1st April, face-off 7pm, with the opponent to be determined.
Final Score
Stena Line Belfast Giants 5-2 Coventry Blaze