Giants burn Blaze with first win of New Year

David Rutherford scored two goals for the Giants on the way to a win over the Blaze. Credit: Presseye

  • Belfast Giants 4 - 1 Coventry Blaze

By Victoria Steveley

The Belfast Giants started the New Year on the right note with a win on home ice over the Coventry Blaze on Monday.

Despite good pressure from the Giants early on, out-shooting the Blaze almost two-to-one, the sides ran out the opening period still locked at 0-0.

Tempers flared inside the first five minutes though, after a slash from Coventry’s Garrett Klotz – to which Belfast’s Jim Vandermeer took exception.

The pair traded punches before both ending up in the penalty box for five minutes for fighting, with Klotz also serving an additional two minutes for slashing.

There were a couple of powerplay opportunities for the Giants in the first half of the second period, but the Blaze continued to hold off their hosts.

Then it was their turn and, while Matt Nickerson sat for boarding, the Blaze’s Ashley Tait managed to breach the Giants’ defence and put his side 1-0 up.

But, seconds later, the home side replied with a shorthanded goal from David Rutherford, after assists from captain Adam Keefe and Alex Foster.

Rutherford celebrates scoring the Giants' opening goal. Credit: Presseye

The Giants ended that period on the powerplay again after Michael Forney was brought down at centre ice by the Blaze’s Marc Cantin, who then sat for charging.

The Blaze may have killed that chance at the start of the third period, but the Giants were back on the powerplay again when Josh Godfrey was penalised with a 2+10 for a check to the head just about five minutes in.

And less than two minutes later, Rutherford was on hand again to fire in the go-ahead goal and make it 2-1 to the home side.

Rutherford strikes again for the Giants. Credit: Presseye

The gloves were off again with just about seven minutes to go.

This time, it was Keefer taking on Klotz after a hit on his teammate Foster.

Both men took fighting penalties, while Klotz also served two minutes for interference and the Giants captain took a 2+10.

With the Blaze only chasing that one-goal deficit, they pulled netminder Brian Stewart late on – only to suffer not one, but two empty-net goals.

Jeff Mason grabbed the first, while Chris Higgins added another to give the Giants the 4-1 win.

The Giants celebrate their win over the Blaze. Credit: Presseye

With a good run over the holiday period and wins either side of the New Year, the Giants sit second in the league - just four points behind the leaders, with both Belfast and Cardiff having now played the same number of games.

Coach Derrick Walser, who was on the bench for Monday's game, said he was pleased with his team's effort as the focus now turns to taking on the Sheffield Steelers.

After their win over the Blaze, Giants captain Adam Keefe was named Man of the Match. Credit: Presseye

The Belfast Giants are next in action with a home double-header against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday and Sunday.