07 Dec 2024, 19:00 | Regular season | Ice Arena Wales |
Cardiff Devils | 3-4 OT | Belfast Giants |
Periods: Shots: | 0-2 (10-7) | 1-1 (14-12) | 2-0 (14-13) | 0-1 (0-4) | Total: 38-36 |
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Referees: #50 James Ions, #52 Stephen Matthews  |  Spectators: 3100 |
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Goals and assists
Belfast Giants blew a 3-1 lead in Cardiff, but recovered to beat the
Devils in overtime and leave a sold-out Vindico Arena with two points on
Saturday night.
Josh Roach found an early goal for Belfast
following a powerful slapshot off of a Bobo Carpenter pass, allowing
Giants to take the lead at 4:50 into the first period. Minutes after,
Piccinch managed to find himself a tripping call, forcing Giants into a
penalty kill. Despite Cardiff creating many opportunities during this,
they were unsuccessful in finding the back of the net due to Jackson
Whistle’s impressive goaltending. In the closing minutes of the period,
Zak Galambos throw the puck on net at 18:46 with the shot taking a
deflection to put the Giants two ahead.
A very eventful second
period saw Karl Boudrias take an early tripping penalty, which handed
the Devils a two-minute powerplay. The Devils used it to full effect to
get their first goal of the night as Joey Martin tapped in a Gleason
Fournier slap shot at 04:23. Belfast were almost able to respond due to a
loose puck almost sliding into the goal, however Brett Perlini came up
clutch to clear the puck off the line. Just as things looked like they
were beginning to go Cardiff’s way, Cameron Pound found the back of
Cardiff’s net to make it a 3-1 lead for Belfast at 34:06 with a shot
that spilled out of Bowns' glove.
In a crucial final period, the
Devils duo of Kohen Olifschefski and Cole Sanford converted two
breakaways within the first seven minutes to make it an even game.
Belfast did try and respond with a few goal-scoring opportunities of
their own, however, Bowns stepped up when it was needed most. Both teams
were unable to find any goals as the period closed out causing the game
to head into overtime scenario.
The Giants had the better of the
bonus period and after some decent puck control, Pierre-Olivier Morin
fired home to the delight of the travelling Giants support and won the
game at 63:23.