Shootout Star Whistle Helps Giants Secure Two Points

With the game tied at 2-2 after 60 minutes and no one able to find a goal during overtime, Adam Keefe’s side won on penalties with Jackson Whistle denying all of Coventry’s attempts to help secure the vital two points and make it six games unbeaten.

First period

The Giants were on the powerplay just 28 seconds into the game when Mike Kennedy was called for cross checking, but the man advantage was short lived as David Goodwin was called for tripping shortly after. A hooking call against Alexander Kuqali followed, but the Giants couldn’t take advantage of the extra skater.

Adam Keefe’s side found themselves on the powerplay once again when Chase Gresock was called for tripping with Mike Lee’s shot forcing Mat Robson to make a good pad save.

Bobo Carpenter and Brandon Alderson were then called for cross checking and slashing respectively with the Giants coming close when both sides returned to full strength when Carpenter’s shot from a Jordan Kawaguchi pass made the Blaze netminder produce a good save.

At the other end, Whistle did well to stop Jakob Stridsberg’s effort.

A Blaze effort then ricocheted perfectly into the path of Scott Conway, who skated forward before the busy Robson thwarted his resulting shot as the first period came to an end.

Second period

The middle period followed a similar pattern to the first with plenty of penalties and the Blaze were able to capitalise on their first powerplay after the restart with Gresock’s effort taking a deflection and flying past Whistle at 21:27. (0-1)

The Giants were back with an extra skater almost instantly with Alexander Kuqali then called for tripping. Although they couldn’t take advantage of the brief five-on-three hockey, the home side did level the game on the powerplay with Conway’s slapshot from a Goodwin pass finding the back of the net at 24:39. (1-1)

Adam Keefe's side took the lead when Mismash controlled Bo Hanson’s pass, skated forward and rifled one from the left circle past Robson. (2-1)

Both netminders then had to make good saves to stop more goals before the break with Conway’s shot denied and Whistle called into action to stop Terrance Amorosa’s effort.

Third period

The away side made a bright start to the final period and levelled the game on the powerplay thanks to Amorosa’s shot from range after Hanson had been called for interference. (2-2)

With just under four minutes left Whistle made a crucial save to deny David Clement’s shot before Ben Lake’s one timer went close but neither side were able to find a breakthrough before the buzzer.

Overtime

Both sides had chances during overtime with Gabe Bast unable to convert Conway’s pass from close range and Nick Seitz’s effort gathered by Whistle.

Penalty shootout

The Giants were the shootout victors when Mismash and J.J. Piccinich converted their shots with Whistle superbly stopping all four of Coventry’s efforts.

Up next

It’s a huge game for Adam Keefe’s side tomorrow night as they travel to face second place Cardiff Devils at Ice Arena Wales. A Scottish double header on the road follows next weekend with Belfast facing the Fife Flyers and then the Dundee Stars.

The men in teal return to action at The SSE Arena, Belfast following a stint on the road to welcome the Guildford Flames on Saturday 8 February with Manchester Storm coming to town the night after. Get your tickets here.