Flames Stamped Out By Belfast Giants

The Stena Line Belfast Giants made it four straight wins with a Wednesday win over the Guildford Flames. The mid-week 3-2 victory, which sees the Giants move into second place, was hard earned with Jonathan Ferland claiming the game winning goal in the final period.

Tyler Beskorowany turned away 30 shots with Curtis Leonard and Pat Dwyer netting the other goals as the home side kept up their recent momentum. Missing for the Belfast side were Colin Shields, Matt Towe, Andrew Dickson and Jim Vandermeer.

It was a tough grind nevertheless as the Giants dominated the opening period in Belfast and took the lead midway through. Curtis Leonard, unassisted, fired home a mean slapshot through traffic at 11:37.

However the Flames hit back right at the end of the period when Kruise Reddick netted shorthanded, assisted by Ian Watters, at 18:28.

The hosts regained their lead in the middle period at 36:54. Pat Dwyer showed plenty of endeavour to chase down a loose puck and cleverly threw the puck on net where it deflected off Travis Fullerton and into the Guildford goal.

The final period saw the teams trade goals.  Belfast started the final period well and it took only 69 seconds to make it 3-1. This time it was down to nice work in the corner from Blair Riley and Francis Beauvillier with Jonathan Ferland left to finish with a classy one-timer past Fullerton.

John Dunbar made it a one-goal game at 53:13 with a fine power play effort, assisted by Kruise Reddick.

Stena Line Belfast Giants 3-2 Guildford Flames

#77 Josh Roach

The Giants now face Glasgow Clan away on Saturday in their final Challenge Cup Group B game before an Elite League clash against the Nottingham Panthers on Sunday in Belfast, face-off 4pm.

Tickets for Sunday’s game are now on sale from ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office in person or by calling 028 9073 9074.