Late goals help Giants past Flyers

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants started their Premier Sports Challenge Cup campaign with a win but left it late against a Fife Flyers side who took a point form the SSE Arena but possibly deserved more.

A first Elite League goal for Kirkcaldy-born Reece Cochrane was enough to give the Flyers the lead through 40 minutes on the road. His shot from the blueline went through a screen to beat Jackson Whistle at 17:08 and put Fife ahead.

The visitors were indebted to former Giants netminder Shane Owen for a string of impressive saves, including off Steven Owre from point-blank range, to keep them ahead. Whistle made an excellent save towards the end of period two to ensure his team stayed just one behind.

Chad Butcher finally found a way past Shane Owen at 57:51 on the powerplay off an excellent pass from Scott Conway. 

Both sides took a point as the game went into overtime, and 48 seconds in the Giants won it. On a delayed penalty, Conway was the extra man and picked out excellently by David Goodwin before slapping the puck past Owen to earn Belfast the extra point.