Giants Stand Tall With Braehead Win For 4 Point Weekend
The Stena Line Belfast Giants made it a four point weekend with a 5-2 win on the road against the Braehead Clan, following Friday's 5-1 win against the Panthers in Nottingham.
The Stena Line Belfast Giants made it a four point weekend with a 5-2 win on the road against the Braehead Clan, following Friday's 5-1 win against the Panthers in Nottingham.
Stephen Murphy, who turned away 22 shots, and goals from Kris Beech (2), James Desmarais, Michael Forney and Mitch Ganzak saw the Giants move into third place in the Elite League standings.
Just as in the previous night's game, the Giants began without Brandon Benedict, Johan Ejdepalm and Matt Nickerson - however Andrew Dickson returned to the lineup in Braehead.
Referee Toby Craig handed out an early penalty to the visitors with James Desmarais sitting out 2 minutes for Slashing and the Clan took full advantage as Matt Keith opened the scoring at 3:06.
Scott Aarssen took an Interference minor at 8:43 and the visitors equalised soon after as Kris Beech scored on the powerplay at 9:22, assisted by D-men Derrick Walser and Jim Vandermeer. The visitors took the lead going into the first intermission as James Desmarais scored his 21st goal of the season at 12:20.
Into the second period and it was Kris Beech who, once again, scored on the powerplay as his 21st of the season extended the Giants lead to 3-1 at 28:46, assisted by Chris Higgins and Jim Vandermeer. However the Clan fought back and reduced the Giants lead to one with a Stefan Meyer goal at 30:03.
The Giants regained their two goal advantage as Michael Forney struck at 54:01, assisted by Mike Wilson and Mitch Ganzak rounded off the scoring with an empty net goal at 59:59 to secure the win for the visitors.
Final Score: Braehead Clan 2-5 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Man of the Match: #15 Kris Beech
Match Photos courtesy of Al Goold