The Stena Line Belfast Giants made an impressive start to a three game weekend with a 5-1 defeat of the Milton Keynes Lightning in Belfast on Friday. A game winning goal from Kyle Baun as well as three final period goals gave the Giants two valuable Elite League points.
Both sides will come face-to-face again on Saturday, face-off 7pm at The SSE Arena, before the Giants travel to Coventry on Sunday. Tyler Beskorowany started in the Giants net and turned away 29 shots with Jim Vandermeer, Matt Towe and Andrew Dickson missing for the hosts.
Giants Dominance Pays Off
The Giants dominated the opening period in Belfast and got their deserved breakthrough at 16:09. Paul Swindlehurst skated the puck into the Lightning zone and picked out Francis Beauvillier at the back post to slam home for the 1-0 lead.
Gloves Dropped In Middle Period
The Lightning regrouped during the first intermission and equalised early in the middle period. Georgs Golovkovs’ shot squeezed it’s way into the Belfast goal at 24:43, assisted by Eric Neiley.
Shortly after Guillaume Gelinas had the Giants fans on their feet when he dropped the gloves with MK’s Neiley. Gelinas executed well, holding off the 5’11” forward and getting an impressive takedown at 27:13.
The Giants regained the lead at 36:23 on the powerplay when Dustin Johner found Kyle Baun in front of goal and the forward continued his rich vein of form when he shot low into the MK net.
Belfast Blow Away Lightning
The Giants came flying out of the blocks in the final period and grabbed an insurance goal at 45:36. Colin Shields initial shot was saved by Killeen and Jonathan Boxill picked up the rebound and fired high into the MK net from a tight angle.
Pat Dwyer made it 4-1 on the powerplay at 47:29 with a fine finish, assisted by Dustin Johner and Kyle Baun.
Giants Captain Blair Riley made it five on the night at 48:45, assisted by David Rutherford, as the home side made it two powerplay goals in as many minutes.
Final Score:
Stena Line Belfast Giants 5-1 Milton Keynes Lightning
Giants Man of the Match:
#8 Lewis Hook
Next Up?
The Giants and the Lightning face-off again on Saturday for the second instalment of their weekend double header. Sunday sees the Giants travel to Coventry for a 5:15pm face-off against the Blaze.
Tickets are now on sale from ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office in person or by calling 028 9073 9074.
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