Giants move into second with win over leaders

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants moved into second place in the Viaplay Elite League with a tight 2-1 victory over leaders Guildford Flames at a sold-out SSE Arena on Saturday night. 

The Flames were the better team in the opening period but couldn't find a way past Tyler Beskorowany who turned away a series of good chances for the visitors.

45 seconds into period tow, Logan Fredericks finished in front after good work from Peter Crinella to put the Flames ahead. Belfast responded on the powerplay through Steve Owre 91 seconds later, and it was their special teams again that led to them taking the lead through Henrik Eriksson with 4:13 remaining in the middle period. 

Eamon McAdam denied Scott Conway on a couple of odd-man rushes in period three as the game became stretched with the Flames chasing an equaliser. They were given a golden opportunity to tie things up with a double-minor on Gabe Bast with 5:09 to play, but a Ben O'Connor roughing penalty 67 seconds later nullified most of that opportunity. 

Belfast had a couple of looks at the empty net, while Beskorowany turned away all 11 shots he faced in the period to keep the Flames out.