Giants edge past Flyers in shootout

Photo: Flyers Images

Belfast Giants ended their four-game road trip with a win to total seven points out of eight on the week thanks to a shootout win against a hard-working Fife Flyers.

In a match which was well-contested throughout, the 1154 fans inside the Fife Ice arena had to wait more than 30 minutes for the opening goal. When it came, it was to the liking of the vast majority of them as Kyle Thacker went top shelf to beat Jackson Whistle with 32:20 gone. 

David Goodwin levelled on the powerplay when he jammed home a loose puck after Cam Knight's initial shot was stopped by Shane Owen. 

65 seconds into period three, the Flyers made use of a 5-on-3 advantage thanks to Chris Lawrence picking up a rebound from Kris Blumenschein's shot from the point. The Giants chased an equaliser but found Owen in fine form yet against in the Flyers net. A late hooking minor sent Lawrence to the box with 2:25 remaining, and with Whistle pulled the Giants finally made their 6-on-4 advantage count through Slater Doggett. 

Belfast had the lion's share of the possession in overtime but failed to create any scoring chances to really worry Owen, and the game went to a shootout. Scott Conway and Brandon Magee both scored in round two of the shootout before David Goodwin gave the Giants a fifth-round lead. Tommi Jokinen couldn't beat Whistle, and the Giants took the extra point after a very entertaining fixture.