Barriga double turns game around for Giants

Photo: William Cherry

Elijiah Barriga scored twice inside the final ten minutes of the game to turn things around for Belfast Giants, and help them to a 3-1 home victory over Cardiff Devils.

The 6,327-strong crowd at the SSE Arena in Belfast saw just one goal through the opening 50 minutes - Cole Sanford forcing a turnover in the offensive zone and setting up Jarrod Gourley, who's shot form the point ofund the back of Tom McCollum's net through a screen. Both teams had chances after the goal but neither were able to capitalise. 

The second period was full of penalties, as both teams had two power plays each, including a 5-on-3 for the Giants. However, neither team were able to make use of them as the score remained 1-0 in favour of the Devils going into the final period, despite the visitors having a handful of breakaway opportunities that they failed to capitalise on.

Period three continued in much the same vein, though the Giants began to carry most of the play. Eventually, just past the halfway mark of the period, Elijiah Barriga turned a Kyle Osterberg pass past the impressive Ben Bowns to tie the game. Seven minutes later, the same man jammed a loose puck under the Devils goalie to put the home side ahead with only 2:51 remaining. Bowns was pulled for the extra skater with 1:18 left, but Jordan Kawaguchi found the empty net from his own zone to settle things at 58:59.