Giants overcome Blaze in 13-goal thriller

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants ended their 2021/22 Premier Sports Elite League regular season with a win in a 13-goal thriller against Coventry Blaze at the SSE Arena.

Conner Chaulk and Janne Kivilahti scored inside the opening 14 minutes to put the Blaze into a two-goal lead, but things were all square at the first intermission - Cam Knight scoring at 14:26 followed by Slater Doggett at 17:49 levelled things up.

Jordan Boucher and Darcy Murphy both found the net within 131 seconds of each other to put the Giants 4-2 ahead early in period two, and when Mark Cooper and Tyler Soy scored at 32:50 and 34:13 respectively the hosts were in full control. However, quick goals from Nathanael Halbert and Ross Venus brought the Blaze back to within two.

Dillon Eichstadt made it 6-5 at 45:47 before Janne Kivilahti shot through a screen to tie things up just 65 seconds later. 

The scoring wasn't done there, however. Ben Lake's pass into the slot set up Lewis Hook for the on-rushing finish with 2:50 left to play, putting the Giants back ahead. Coventry went 6-on-4 for the final minute, but couldn't beat Jackson Whistle for a seventh time and the Giants help on for the win.