Giants edge Blaze late on

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Belfast Giants scored late to beat Coventry at the Skydome and complete a weekend double over the Blaze.

The Blaze started off strong with Peyton Frantti opening the scoring just 32 seconds into the game. The Giants didn't wait long before tying the game, however, with Mark Cooper's the blue line slapshot at 02:51 finding the net. However, the home side struck right back with a goal of their own - Johnny Curran making it a 2-1 game with a quick wrister on the breakaway. As the opening period ticked down, Ross Venus deflected the puck into the net, extending the Blaze's lead to 3-1. 

Mitch Cook netted the first goal of the second period at 30:31, on a five-on-three powerplay, to put the Blaze up by three. Ciaran Long one-timed Matt Foley's pass behind Paavo Hölsä with 11 seconds left in period two to bring the Giants back to just a pair behind.

Chad Butcher brought the Giants even closer by deflecting the rebound back into the goal at 42:42, only six seconds into a third-period powerplay. A mere 24 seconds later, David Goodwin equalised after Hölsä went behind the goal to recover a puck that didn't make it all the way around the boards as Sam Ruopp intercepted and passed in front.

The Giants took a late lead at 57:09, with only seconds remaining on a powerplay, when Colby Mcauley blasted Sam Ruopp's pass into the net to ear the defending league champions a one-goal road win.