Giants dominate second of three vs Flames
The series now moves to Guildford today, as the sides meet for the third time in as many days
The Belfast Giants were comfortable winners at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Saturday night, downing the Guildford Flames 5-1 in front of a vocal Teal Army.
The series now moves to Guildford today (Sunday), as the sides meet for the third time in as many days.
FIRST PERIOD
It was all change in goal as the second round of this weekend’s Guildford 3 in 3 got underway.
Jackson Whistle took the start for Belfast, meanwhile Canadian Liam Hughes (who took over from Kevin Lindskoug in the second period last night) made a start for the Flames.
Belfast shut down an early Mark Garside tripping call at 4:06, but Guildford’s opening power play wasn’t without its moments of danger as Levi Cable rang the post on a rush.
Belfast fared better on their own opening power play, as Chris Gerrie sat for hooking at 12:21. With the help of good offensive work in the zone from Griffin Reinhart and David Goodwin, JJ Piccinich found his way in close to open the scoring at 12:48. (1-0)
Ben Lake doubled Belfast’s advantage from the high slot at 17:14 to round off a productive period, despite being outshot 13-7 by the visitors (Assist: Slater Doggett, Jeff Baum). (2-0)
SECOND PERIOD
The Giants notched a third early in the middle period as Mark Cooper got in close on Flames goalie Liam Hughes at 21:12, from Ben Lake and Slater Doggett. (3-0)
Lewis Hook sat for holding at 25:14 and was promptly joined by Kevin Raine after a pile-on in Jackson Whistle’s crease on the first shift of the kill.
Faced with 1:01 of a 5 on 3 kill, the Giants were resolute. And when they regained the services of Lewis Hook at 5 on 4, they were downright comfortable.
Guildford killed a penalty of their own a few minutes later as a scrappy period progressed. This time, Jake Bolton sat for slashing at 31:20.
Ben Lake was to follow with a slashing call at 36:31, and this time Belfast weren’t so lucky. A Jamal Watson one timer from just inside the blue line put Guildford on the board at 38:17 (Assist: John Dunbar). (3-1)
THIRD PERIOD
The Guildford Flames were troubled by avoidable penalties at the start of the final period, as Kyle Locke sat for interference at 41:50, followed by Spencer Trapp for delay of game at 42:32.
Despite cycling well and getting their looks during the 5 on 3 power play, the Giants found their fourth on the stroke of even strength when Ben Lake converted his second of the game from the edge of the paint at 44:39 (Assist: Slater Doggett, Jordan Boucher). (4-1)
Jordan Boucher’s zone entry and sublime cross ice pass to Tyler Soy faked goalie Liam Huges to his right, leaving Soy with the simplest of tap-ins for Belfast’s fifth at 50:40. (5-1)
Kevin Raine continued the onslaught by striking the crossbar from the right circle with 6:31 remaining, followed by Giants Captain David Goodwin coming close with two bites of the cherry.
Belfast had one final speedbump to overcome as Mark Garside sat for tripping at 57:34, but time elapsed without incident on what was ultimately a comfortable victory for Adam Keefe’s side.
UP NEXT
The Belfast Giants travel to Guildford on Sunday to round off this weekend’s 3 in 3 against the Flames. They return home to The SSE Arena, Belfast next Friday and Saturday for a highly anticipated blockbuster double header against the Sheffield Steelers, with huge implications in this season’s title race.
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