HIGHLIGHTS: Giants 7-3 Panthers
Giants in seven heaven with fine Friday home win
Last updated 11th Mar 2017
The Stena Line Belfast Giants won the opening game of a two game weekend series against the Nottingham Panthers with a 7-3 victory. The win sees the Giants close the gap on the first placed Cardiff Devils to five points. Both sides meet again on Sunday, face-off 4pm at The SSE Arena.
James Desmarais hammed home from the top of the circle to fire the Giants into a 1-0 lead at 10:34, assisted by Colin Shields and Steve Saviano.
Michael Quesnele doubled the home side’s lead 2:29 later when he ripped a wrist shot high into the Panthers let, assisted by James Desmarais and Ryan Martinelli.
Colin Shields made it 3-0 at 14:08 after he redirected Ryan Martinelli’s pass, to give the home side a comprehensive lead after the opening period of play.
Chris Lawrence scored on a Giants powerplay early in the second period to pull one back for the Nottingham Panthers. However at 25:51, David Rutherford scored on the powerplay, assisted by Derrick Walser and Colin Shields, to regain the Giants three goal advantage.
Colin Shields grabbed his second of the game with the Belfast side’s second powerplay goal of the game at 27:33, assisted by David Rutherford and James Desmarais.
Blair Riley made it 6-1 to the Giants at 29:32 after Chris Higgins found the forward with a fine pass through the Panthers defence.
Colin Shields netted his hat-trick at after some nice work by Steve Saviano in chasing down the loose puck and finding Shields for the one-timer.
Chris Lawrence scored the Panthers second of the game at 50:51, assisted by Matt Carter and Dan Spang. Dan Spang then turned from provider to scorer at 59:38, assisted by Deivids Sarkanis and Jeff Brown.
The Giants return to action again on Sunday at home against the Nottingham Panthers. Tickets are on sale now online at ticketmaster.ie as well as from The SSE Arena Box Office either in person or by calling 028 9073 9074.
Final Score Stena Line Belfast Giants 7-3 Nottingham Panthers
Giants Man of the Match #19 Colin Shields