BELFAST GIANTS COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN IN GUILDFORD

Despite trailing by an early goal, the Belfast Giants completed the comeback in style at the Guildford Spectrum on Sunday evening, defeating the Flames 1-4 thanks to goals from Boucher, Conway, Cooper and Ruopp, and highlight reel goaltending from Tyler Beskorowany.

FIRST PERIOD

Belfast had the first big chance of the game just shy of the 4^th minute, as their high press forced a turnover in the Flames zone. Slater Doggett found himself all alone on goal but could not find the target.

Cam Knight was called for hooking at 4:19, but the Giants kill unit stood strong.

Shooting accuracy was an issue for the Giants throughout the first period, as were offside calls after significant spells of momentum.

Belfast also struggled for consistent zone time on their first power play of the night- a Brett Ferguson interference call at 10:09- and didn’t fare any better back at full strength as Ferguson played a lateral pass at the blue line to Levi Cable who opened the Flames’ account from the right circle at 13:53. (1-0)

Despite that, they pressed hard from the drop, ringing the post on a long-range effort before a Scott Conway tripping penalty at 18:33 dropped them onto the back foot to close the period.

SECOND PERIOD

Conway was sent straight back to the box upon his release, this time for a holding call at 20:54. The Belfast kill unit made it a perfect three with another strong outing and had probably been the side’s bright spark of the game so far.

With Brett Ferguson called for holding (24:54) the Giants finally broke their power play skid as Jordan Boucher took control of the puck in front of sprawling Flames goalie Kevin Lindskoug and flicked it up and over to tie the game at 25:34 (Assist: Griffin Reinhart). (1-1)

Belfast appeared to grow into the game in the latter stages of the second period, and were rewarded courtesy of Conway, who wristed a tight angled shot from the left and found the roof of the net. A lengthy review followed for the net being removed from its moorings, but the goal stood. (Assist: Kevin Raine). (1-2)

THIRD PERIOD

The Giants looked threatening from the drop, as Sam Ruopp came close following a scramble in front of Lindskoug.

This time it was Guildford’s turn to get caught offside, as the hosts were blown up twice in the opening five minutes attempting to find their equaliser.

As the game approached its final ten minutes Beskorowany was the hero as he denied a turnover deep in the Giants zone with his blocker, followed by an incredible sit down glove save just seconds later.

Adam Keefe called a timeout with 6:18 remaining, following JJ Piccinich’s 5-hole attempt on the breakaway which Lindskoug swallowed up.

As Guildford continued to chase the game, Jeff Baum ended up colliding with Beskorowany down the slot and was called for hooking at 56:15. The Giants kill unit, emphatic all night, saw away the danger.

Belfast buried the game in the last two minutes as Mark Cooper fired home off a puck from Slater Doggett at 58:51, and Sam Ruopp iced proceedings into the empty net at 59:41 (Assist: JJ Piccinich, Tyler Beskorowany). (1-3) & (1-4)

A vital comeback victory on the road, and the response Adam Keefe’s side needed following last night’s defeat in Cardiff.

UP NEXT

The Belfast Giants return home next weekend to face the Coventry Blaze at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Saturday 29^th (7pm) and Sunday 30^th January (4pm). Tickets for a GIANT double header weekend are on sale HERE!