photos by Presseye
The Stena Line Belfast Giants began the weekend with a comprehensive 4-0 home win over the Fife Flyers on Friday. A 23-shot Stephen Murphy shutout helped the Giants claim the two points and move into second place in the Elite League standings.
The Giants now lie eight points behind Saturdays’ opponents, the Cardiff Devils, having played two games less.
The home side came flying out of the blocks, dominating the opening period and outshooting the Flyers 17-7. It was the Giants who opened the scoring when Blair Riley deflected Jim Vandermeer’s shot from the blue line into the back of the Flyers net. The Giants first goal was scored on the powerplay at 4:39.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure and it told once again at 16:09 as Colin Shields rifled a beauty of a slapshot into the roof of the Fife net – another powerplay goal for the hosts.
The Giants continued to control the game in the second period, however Shane Owen in the visitors net kept the score at 2-0. The Flyers netminder turned away 14 Giants shots on goal during the middle period.
With 4:11 gone in the final period, it was 3-0 thanks to Brandon Benedict’s shorthanded goal, assisted by Steve Saviano and Matt Nickerson, as the home side extended their lead once more.
Ryan Martinelli completed the scoring with his side’s fourth goal of the game, assisted by Michael Forney and Steve Saviano at 8:29.
Next up for the Giants is a quick turnaround to face the Cardiff Devils on Saturday at The SSE Arena, Belfast. Saturday’s face-off is 7pm and tickets are available online at Ticketmaster as well as from the Arena’s Box Office in person or by calling (028) 9073 9074.
Final Score
Stena Line Belfast Giants 4-0 Fife Flyers
Giants Man of the Match
#25 Blair Riley
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