Giants maintain unbeaten season start

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Belfast Giants stayed perfect in Elite League competition this season with a two-goal road win over Coventry Blaze.

The opening few minutes couldn't have gone any better for the Giants.With only 18 seconds played, Quinn Preston's stretch pass set John Curran through 1-on-0 with Taran Kozun, and the former Blade man made no mistake putting his new team ahead. A little over two minutes later, Charlie Curti fed the puck out from below the goal line to the stick of Ciaran Long who beat Kozun short side.

Whatever Danny Stewart said to his Blaze players in the first intermission clearly had the desired effect. They were back in things at 25:27 through Kobe Roth who pounced on a fortunate bounce in front of the net, and then an excellent backhanded pass from the boards by Danny Kristo set up Ian McNulty in front to tie the game at 35:28. However, the Giants ended the period ahead - Ben Lake beating Kozun five-hole coming in from the point at 38:03.

Greg Printz re-established the visitors' two-goal advantage on the powerplay 3:59 into period three, but David Clements made it a one-goal gamer again 57 seconds later. The Blaze pushed for another tying goal but things were settled by Xiaran Long with 1:05 to play. 

The giants have won nine in a row to start the season.