Photos by Scott Wiggins
The Stena Line Belfast Giants began a two game road weekend with a 4-0 win over the Coventry Blaze. An impressive shutout from Stephen Murphy as well as goals from Derrick Walser, Blair Riley (x2) and Steve Saviano earned the Giants a deserved Elite League and Erhardt Conference win in front of a large number of travelling fans. The road win was all the more impressive considering the Giants were without Alex Foster, Chris Higgins and David Rutherford
With only 2:35 gone, Jonathan Boxill dropped the gloves with the Blaze’s Darcy Zajac who was called for Elbowing by Referee Hogarth. Later in the first period, it was Giants Player/Coach Derrick Walser who opened the scoring with a fine slapshot at 12:36, assisted by Adam Keefe and Mark Garside.
Blair Riley doubled the visitors lead at 15:42, taking control of the loose puck in front of the net and skated behind the goal for a nice backhanded wraparound finish, unassisted. Soon after, the Giants lead was extended to three goals and it was that man Riley again. This time, the forward fired an unstoppable shot on net from the wing at 17:29, assisted by Steve Saviano and Michael Forney, to give the visitors a commanding lead at the end of the first period.
The Coventry Blaze came flying out of the traps in the second period as they tried to find a way back into the game. Stephen Murphy stood firm in the Giants goal, turning away 12 shots in the middle period, and helping the visitors to hold onto a comfortable lead going into the third period.
Early in the final period the Giants once again extended their lead, as Steve Saviano finished off a nice move, assisted by Derrick Walser at 42:03. The Giants closed out the game in a professional manner, shutting down the Blaze for the majority of the game. However, with 1:18 remaining on the clock, the home side got on the scoresheet as Bjorn Bombis’ deflected shot found its way into the Giants net.
The Giants return to action on Sunday with an Elite League clash against the Nottingham Panthers at 4pm to complete their road weekend. The Coventry Blaze are the visitors to The SSE Arena, Belfast next Friday and Saturday for a Double Header Weekend in Belfast. Tickets for those games are on sale now from the Arena Box Office in person, by calling (028) 9073 9074 or online at Ticketmaster.
Final Score
Coventry Blaze 1-4 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Man of the Match
#12 Steve Saviano
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