Giants' strong first period buries Flyers

Photo: William Cherry

A blistering opening period helped Belfast Giants to a 9-4 win on Sunday night, completing a perfect week for Adam Keefe's men.

The Giants started the game off strong, with two goals in quick succession. Steven Owre netted the first goal at 0:30 into the game, burying the rebound off Sam Ruopp's shot. Mark Cooper extended the Giants' lead 2 minutes later with a quick goal.

In the middle of the first period the Giants capitalised on a lone offensive zone play with Gabe Bast sniping a one-timer into the net on the powerplay. David Goodwin scored the fourth goal of the game still within the first period, when Scott Conway passed into the slot and he tapped it into the open net. The fifth goal of the game, as well as of the period, was scored at 19:05 by Henrik Eriksson on the powerplay, as his shot was deflected to put the Giants up 5-0.

Zack Phillips opened the scoring in the second period, burying a one-timer at 23:18 to put the Flyers on the board. Bari McKenzie then scored the visitors' second bringing them back to within three at 28:33. Jeff Baum scored his first goal of the season at 32:08, netting the sixth goal for the Giants to put them back four ahead.

Bast grabbed his second of the night early in the third period on a breakaway at 42:46 to pull the Giants further away, but Zack Phillips joined him as a two-goal-scorer with a goal of his own at 49:38. Liam MacDougall's first for the Flyers came at 57:06 on the powerplay, but again the Giants answered right back - Henrik Eriksson the scorer this time. A final score of 9-4 was set with Scott Conway's goal at 59:35 that bounced in off of a defender.