The Stena Line Belfast Giants made it an impressive three wins in as many nights thanks to the defeat of the Coventry Blaze on Sunday. The 4-2 win in Coventry followed home wins against the Milton Keynes Lightning on Friday and Saturday.
The six point weekend sees Belfast move from eleventh place to third in the space of only a few days. The Giants started with Tyler Beskorowany in goal and were missing Colin Shields, Matt Towe, Jim Vandermeer and Andrew Dickson.
The Blaze got off to the better start when Ben Lake exchanged passes with Jake Hansen and slotted low into the Giants net at 3:22.
However, soon after it was 1-1 when Darcy Murphy, assisted by Pat Dwyer and David Rutherford, unleashed a wrister past Kopriva into the Blaze goal.
Right at the end of the period Jonathan Ferland took exception to a hit and dropped the gloves with Ben Lake in front of the Coventry bench with the Giants forward getting the takedown.
Giants Middle Period Treble Controls Game.
Pat Dwyer turned from provider on the first goal to scorer on the second when his slapshot flew into the Coventry net on the powerplay at 27:05, assisted by Hunter Bishop and Dustin Johner.
Nicolai Bryhnisveen grabbed a powerplay goal of his own for the hosts at 34:40 with a ferocious one-timer, assisted by Ben Lake an Kelin Ainsworth.
The Giants Captain restored his side’s one goal advantage only 80 seconds later. Blair Riley, assisted by Francis Beauvillier, firing five-hole through Kopriva at 36:00
The travelling Giants fans had only another one minute and eleven seconds to wait for a fourth goal. This time it was Kyle Baun who stabbed home from close range at 37:11, assisted by Dustin Johner and Hunter Bishop.
Visitors Close Out Win In Third Period
The final period of the Giants third game of the weekend saw the visitors put on a solid defensive display, led by netminder and man of the match Tyler Beskorowany. The Giants killed off penalties in the third period to ensure they would complete a third win in as many nights.
Final Score:
Coventry Blaze 2-4 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Man of the Match:
#34 Tyler Beskorowany
Next Up?
The Giants now return to Belfast for a Wednesday night clash at home against the Guildford Flames, face-off 7:30pm.
The Giants then 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 at 4pm.
Tickets are now on sale from ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office in person or by calling 028 9073 9074.
