The Belfast Giants came out strong, scoring three first-period goals before securing a 4-1 victory over the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze at the SSE Arena on Wednesday night.
With defencemen Mike Kennedy and Jakob Stridsberg unavailable, the Blaze bolstered their blue line by bringing in Billy Thorpe and Zach Vinnell. Despite these changes, it was the Giants who dictated the early play.
The scoring began on the powerplay as Jordan Kawaguchi showcased his skill. Skating along the goal line with options in the middle, he opted to take the shot himself, beating Mat Robson at the near post with a precise finish into the roof of the net at 7.56.
The Giants doubled their advantage with another powerplay goal at 12.45. A fluid build-up between Scott Conway and JJ Piccinich ended with Piccinich selflessly passing across the crease to Mark Cooper, who calmly slotted the puck into an empty net.
The hosts added a third before the period concluded. At 16.50, Mike Lee received a pass from Grant Mismash and fired a shot that just slipped through Robson’s glove, crossing the line to cap an excellent opening frame.
Coventry responded well in the middle period, cutting the deficit just 1.30 into play. A two-on-one break saw Chase Gresock’s initial shot saved by Tom McCollum, but Gresock pounced on the rebound to make it 3-1.
Both teams created chances as the period progressed, but neither side could convert, leaving the Giants with a two-goal cushion heading into the third.
The final period saw tight defensive play, with minor penalties on each team failing to impact the score line. With 2.29 remaining, the Blaze pulled the outstanding Robson for the extra attacker, but try as they might, a second goal continued to allude them.
The game was wrapped up at 58.15, when Cooper won the puck in his own zone and set up Bobo Carpenter, who slotted into the empty net to secure the 4-1 victory for the Giants.
Photo credit: William Cherry
