Giants survive scare, extend lead in Group B

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants came back form two down at home to Fife Flyers to eventually run out 5-3 winners, moving a step closer to winning Group B of the Challenge Cup.

It was the Giants who started the better of the two teams, forcing  Fife goaltender Janis Voris into a number of saves - denying Bo Hanson, Elijiah Barriga, and Jordan Kawaguchi early on.

Despite the home side's pressure, however, it was Fife who took the lead through Phelix Martineau, firing after after the puck was cut back to him by Michael Cichy at 06:53. Further chances came for Belfast, through Scott Conway and JJ Piccinich, but Voris stood tall. Fife then doubled their lead at 12:07 through James Spence. after a scramble as Jackson Whistle was forced into a good save by Tyler Heidt, and Spence getting onto the loose puck to put the Flyers two ahead.

The Giants were able to pull a goal back through JJ Piccinich. Scott Conway brought forward the puck and was able to pick out Piccinich, who rifled the puck into the net to get the Giants back within one at 33:13. An equaliser then came on powerplay with just 11 seconds left in the period through Gabe Bast who unleashed a bullet of a shot from long-range past Voris to get the Giants level going into the third period.

The home side wasted no time in turning the game around in period three. Just 79 seconds were all it took for Mark Cooper to put them ahead, before the ever-dangerous Scott Conway made it 4-2 at 49:40. Elijiah Barriga continued his good form with the Giants' fifth 6:0 from the final buzzer, although a late Martineau goal cut the deficit to two with 82 seconds remaining.

“I think overall we mostly controlled the game. We had some little breakdowns, they got their goals on those breakdowns but overall I thought we played well and controlled most of the game," said Barriga who had the final goal of the night. "It feels like like the third period is always the one I score goals in somehow! I feel like it's my period but it's nice to help the team in any way and contribute and I'm just happy we got the win."