The Stena Line Belfast Giants defeated the league leading Cardiff Devils 4-3 after a shootout on Friday in Belfast. Darcy Murphy grabbed the vital goal in the shootout and Jackson Whistle denied all three Cardiff shooters to claim the two points for the Giants.
The Giants have now pulled one point back on the Devils and lie six points behind Cardiff.
Honours Even In First Period
Jake Morissette opened the scoring after 3:54 with an unassisted powerplay goal.
David Rutherford grabbed the equaliser for the hosts with a fine unassisted effort at 17:22.
Sylvestre Edges Giants In Front
Sebastien Sylvestre gave the Giants the lead for the first time in the game at 26:03, assisted by Colin Shields and Steve Saviano.
Devils Edge Final Period
Patrick Asselin equalised with a powerplay strike at 44:56 before David Rutherford grabbed his second unassisted goal of the game at 45:48.
Mark Richardson gave the visitors another equalising goal with a powerplay effort at 54:51.
Giants Take Points With Shootout Victory
Both netminders, Whistle and Bowns, were equally in fine form during the five minute overtime period and denied both sides from grabbing the sudden death goal. However the Giants had a goal waved off with 1.6 seconds remaining when Spiro Goulakos scored past Bowns only to be waved off as the game went into a shootout.
Darcy Murphy fired home the vital shootout goal and Jackson Whistle saved the three Devils shooters as the Giants deservedly claimed two points.
Final Score:
Stena Line Belfast Giants 4-3 Cardiff Devils
Giants Man of the Match:
#1 Jackson Whistle
Next Up?
The Giants are next in action at again on Saturday for the second of the weekend double header against the league leading Cardiff Devils – face-off 7pm at The SSE Arena.
Tickets are now on sale online at ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office either in person or by calling (028) 9073 9074.
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