Giants go 10 unbeaten with OT win over Flyers

Photo: Flyers Images

The Belfast Giants extended their unbeaten streak to 10 straight games in the Premier Sports Elite League thanks to an overtime win against Fife in Kirkcaldy. The game was the Flyers' first at home under new Scottish Government COVID-19 guidelines permitting a maximum of only 200 spectators.

The Flyers were much improved from their 4-1 loss in Belfast on Friday night and created some good chances in the opening period. Both Shane Owen and Tyler Beskorowany were on hand when needed as the first 20 minutes ended scoreless.

Mark Cooper opened the scoring 2:56 into period two after a scramble in front of Owen's net and good composure form Griffin Reinhart set him up for the finish on the off side. Fife were level at 34:34 thanks to Tomi Jokinen's first goal for the Flyers, but with 53 seconds left in the period the Giants went back ahead - Jeff Baum beating Owen short side when everyone was expecting a pass across the front of the crease.

Fife rallied in the third period and continued to have their fair share of chances of Beskorowany's net. Their equaliser came shorthanded while Carson Stadnyk sat a tripping minor as Greg chase and Michael McNicholas broke forward 2-on-1, with the former teeing up the latter for the smart finish. at 48:18. The Giants argued that the pass from Chase was offside, however with EIHL rules not allowing a coach's challenge for offside, and no technology in place to do so regardless, the goal stood.

The game headed into overtime, at the beginning of which the Flyers were given a great opportunity to snatch all the points when the Giants were given a bench minor for Too Many Men after only 10 seconds. Fife created some half looks but nothing clear-cut during the man advantage, but as the penalty ticked down the Flyers got caught on a breakaway against them resulting in a penalty shot being called. JJ Piccinich squeezed the puck through Owen to grab the extra point for the visitors.

Gallery