Giants extinguish Flames in 10-goal cracker at the SSE

The Belfast Giants have got off to a superb start to the new season edging out the Guildford Flames in a 10-goal thriller.

More than 6,000 fans packed into the SSE Arena to see a cracking opener with the home side finally emerging 6-4 winners.

However the night began with a Guildford goal as Mikael Lidhammar scored on the powerplay at 5:41. The Flames’ lead lasted less than two minutes as Sebastien Sylvestre struck at 7:20 after Jonathan Ferland won the puck back in the Guildford zone.

Ferland turned from provider to scorer at 8:09 as the Giants struck on the power play assisted by Dustin Johner and Colin Shields.

Ben Davies equalised at 15:08 for the visitors to leave this Elite League game tied at 2-2 following the first 20 minutes of action.

The Giants began the middle period with back-to-back shorthanded goals. First Steve Saviano skated the puck the length of the ice and netted at 30:34, assisted by Colin Shields.

Then it was the turn of Dustin Johner to score while Guildford had the man advantage when he struck at 33:44, assisted by Brandon Benedict and Spiro Goulakos.

However John Dunbar pulled one back for the away side when his unassisted goal made the score 4-3 at 35:03.

Spiro Goulakos grabbed a powerplay goal right on the second period buzzer, assisted by Sebastien Sylvestre, with the puck crossing the goal line at 39:59.

Into the final period and once again the Flames refused to lie down and pulled a goal back. David Lilliestrom Karlsson fired into the Giants net at 49:43 to make it a 5-4 game.

Then, at 51:23, Giants all-time leading scorer Colin Shields ripped home a slapshot, assisted by Steve Saviano, to give the home side a two goal cushion.

The Giants closed out the final minutes of the game to claim the two points on opening night in Belfast.

Man of the Match:

Spiro Goulako

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