Giants Overcome Late Flyers’ Resurgence to Extend Unbeaten Run

The Stena Line Belfast Giants extended their winning run to eight games with a late win against the Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy. Goals from Karl Boudrias, Elijiah Barriga, Cameron Pound, Scott Conway, and a hattrick from J.J. Piccinich earned Adam Keefe’s side a 5-7 victory at Fife Ice Arena.
FIRST PERIOD
Within the opening few minutes, the Giants found themselves on the power play after Brodie Kay was handed two-minutes for holding. After a few attempts on goal, J.J. Piccinich opened the scoring for the visitors, tucking away David Goodwin’s rebounded effort (0-1).
Soon after, it was the Flyers’ turn on the power play as Ben Lake sat for hooking. After the Giants saw out the two minute man disadvantage, in no small part thanks to two crucial saves from Jackson Whistle to deny Kieran Craig and Michael Cichy, Karl Boudrias netted his fifth goal of the season to double the Giants’ lead (0-2).
With less than two minutes remaining in the period, the Flyers would have almost certainly halved the deficit if not for a decisive pad save from a sprawling Jackson Whistle to block Massimo Carozza’s one-timer from point-blank range.
SECOND PERIOD
The first clear-cut chance of the second period fell to the Flyers, as Charles-Antoine Paiement’s goal-bound effort was denied by Jackson Whistle. After some sustained pressure from the hosts, the Flyers were rewarded as Jordy Stallard directed Daniel Krenželok’s shot into the back of the net to reduce the Giants’ lead to one (1-2).
After a host of goal-scoring opportunities for the Flyers, the best of which fell to Lucas Chiodo, Elijiah Barriga restored the Giants’ two-goal cushion five minutes into the second period (1-3).
Moments later, Ben Lake was sent to the penalty box for the second time in the game [interference], giving the hosts the opportunity to take advantage of the power play. And they almost certainly would have if not for Lucas Chiodo’s effort sailing over the bar.
The Flyers would be made to rue their missed opportunity halfway through the period as J.J. Piccinich bagged his second of the night to stretch the Giants’ lead to three (1-4).
THIRD PERIOD
The Giants opened the third period on top, and it wasn’t long until their lead was extended further after Cameron Pound’s shot fizzed through a sea of bodies and found its way into the back of Voris’ net (1-5).
Despite the scoreline, the Flyers weren’t beaten. A defensive mix-up at the back handed Massimo Carozza a gift as he dropped the puck into an empty Belfast net (2-5).
The Flyers’ scoring wasn’t done there as Michael Cichy got in on the action and tucked away a one-timer on the power play to hand Fife a lifeline (3-5).
The hosts now had their tails up, and within the blink of an eye, Kieran Craig ripped a shot into the roof of Jackson Whistle’s goal to put the Flyers within touching distance (4-5).
After Jordan Kawaguchi was handed a two-minute penalty for delay of game, the Flyers did the unthinkable and levelled the game as Tyler Heidt’s shot sailed into the Giants’ net to tie the game with less than three minutes left on the clock (5-5).
The Giants left it late to secure the win. J.J. Piccinich completed his hattrick (5-6), before Scott Conway put the game beyond doubt with seconds remaining (5-7).
Next up, the Giants round out their Scottish road trip with a visit to Dundee Ice Arena to take on the Stars on Sunday 2 February, before returning to The SSE Arena, Belfast for games against the Guildford Flames and the Manchester Storm. Tickets are available here.