BELFAST GIANTS SECURE BACK-TO-BACK WINS OVER FLAMES

The Belfast Giants secured consecutive wins against the Guildford Flames thanks to a 3-2 win, with all the game’s goals coming in the second period. 

 First Period

There wasn’t much by way of clear-cut chances in the early goings, with Nicolas Guay and Marcus Eriksson having the best of them for the hosts to no avail. Mathieu Gosselin sent a warning shot past Jackson Whistle’s post before the Giants’ number one denied Nick Seitz after he was gifted the puck in a dangerous area.

Second Period

Early in the second period, Bo Hanson was sat down for tripping, but that penalty was killed despite Cole Ully’s best efforts. The Giants, though, would go ahead thanks to a clinical effort from Mike Lee after being teed up by Ciaran Long (1-0).

 That lead would be doubled soon after and it was Long who grabbed an assist again as his shot was tipped home by Ryan Smith (2-0).

 However, any thoughts of shutouts in consecutive nights were extinguished when Gosselin scored on the powerplay while David Goodwin was sitting for boarding (2-1).

 The Giants responded well and were unfortunate not to restore that two-goal lead soon after when Jordan Kawaguchi was denied by Fazio and Patrick Grasso whiffed on the rebound.

 The third goal wasn’t long in coming through and it was Scott Conway who grabbed it after tipping home an Eriksson shot (3-1).

 However, the scoring wasn’t finished there as Gosselin took advantage of another man advantage with Gabe Bast serving this penalty and the Quebec-born forward got his and his side’s second of the night (3-2).

Third Period

The final period was a bitty one with chances at a premium which was in stark contrast to the free scoring second. Nick Seitz tested Whistle while Reid Irwin and J.J. Piccinich had quick-fire chances at the other end. There was a lot of hockey played in the neutral zone in the third although Scott Conway got the puck on the net, but Fazio kept him at bay.

 Charlie Curti and Smith had chances at either rend as the clock ticked down. There was still time for one final chance as Jack Jacome forced a save from Whistle right on the buzzer for what would have been the most dramatic of equalisers. Ultimately, though, the home side held on for a second consecutive win over the Flames.

 Next Up

 The Giants travel to Dundee for their third game of the weekend before returning to The SSE Arena, Belfast to take on the Stars on Sunday 21 December. Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase here.