Giants go four points clear at top

Photo: Flyers Images

Belfast Giants took full use of Guildford Flames' defeat elsewhere with a 5-2 win over Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy in a dress rehearsal for Wednesday's Viaplay Challenge Cup Final.

Mark Cooper beat Shane Owen in close on the powerplay with 7:23 played to put the Giants ahead but a Janne Laakkonen marker while Scott Conway sat for Interference brought the Flyers level with 64 seconds left in period one.

The second was, however, when the visitors took complete control of the game. Sam Ruopp put them ahead at 29:32, followed by Grant Cooper from in close at 31:44. Gabe Bast's powerplay goal at 32:33 had the Giants 4-1 ahead going into the second intermission.

Kamerin Nault brought the Flyers back to within two with 1:40 to ply, but Mark Cooper ended faint chances of a fightback with 15 seconds remaining on the empty net.