Giants Hit Elite Top Again, But Devils Challenging Hard

Belfast Giants extended their lead at the top of Elite League to three points ahead of Cardiff Devils, but they did it the hard way.

Head coach Adam Keefe and his Giants were is disarray well into the second half of their clash with Glasgow Clan, trailing 3-0.

Devils were without a game on Saturday and return to action when they take on Guildford Flames away this evening.

It took until 8-13 for the deadlock to be broken by Clan in Belfast, Craig Peacock scoring.

http://https://youtu.be/lLcyPMC9SRs

That advantage became two 36 seconds into the middle period thanks to Gerard Hanson and then three with Rasmus Bjerrum’s goal at 28-17.

Belfast’s comeback started at 36-19 thanks to David Rutherford’s powerplay effort and with 27 seconds left in the middle session Dustin Johner brought the hosts back to within one.

The game was all square after 46-59 through Rutherford and 33 seconds later Giants took the lead for the first time in the game when Johner doubled his tally for the night. 

Darcy Murphy put the Giants 5-3 ahead with 3-35 to go and although the Clan made things interesting with 34 seconds to go through Michal Gutwald Giants held on to the win.

http://https://youtu.be/GsHgNbyNZpE

Coventry Blaze 5, Nottingham Panthers 4

Coventry Blaze added Nottingham to their list of home post-Christmas victories, getting the better of the Panthers by the odd goal in nine to move into the play-off places.

Blaze raced into a two goal advantage inside the opening four minutes with Alex Nikiforuk (2-48) and Tim Crowder (4-00) on target.

Early in the middle period Marek Tvrdon pulled a gaol back for the Panthers before Shawn Pauly (25-49) put Blaze 3-1 ahead.

Dylan Richards’ effort at 27-53 brought the score back to 3-2, and with only five seconds left in the period Brett Perlini made it a tied score.

Blaze, however, regained their lead at 52-07 thanks to Luke Ferrara, but again the Panthers were to hit back and at 4-4 the game was in the balance. Alex Guptill scored with just under six minutes to go. 

Blaze were not to be denied their win and Ross Venus popped up with 2-59 left to score what would be the winning goal.

Sheffield Steelers 6, Manchester Storm 4

Steelers backed up their two derby wins over Nottingham and moved into the top five.

Cardiff Devils players celebrate scoring against Guildford Flame earlier this seasons. Pic: John Unwin.

Elite League fixtures

December 

Sunday 30

Guildford Flames v Cardiff Devils (6pm)

Belfast Giants v Dundee Stars (7pm)

Monday 31

Glasgow Clan v Fife Flyers (2pm)

Nottingham Panthers v Coventry Blaze (4pm)

January

Tuesday 1

Cardiff Devils v Guildford Flames (4pm)

Manchester Storm v Sheffield Steelers (5.30pm)

Wednesday 2

Fife Flyers v Milton Keynes Lightning (6pm)

Dundee Stars v Glasgow Clan (7.30pm)

Nottingham Panthers v Guildford Flames (7.30pm)

Thursday 3

Dundee Stars v Milton Keynes Lightning (7.30pm)

Saturday 5

Belfast Giants v Sheffield Steelers (7pm)

Cardiff Devils v Manchester Storm (7pm)

Glasgow Clan v Dundee Stars (7pm)

Milton Keynes Lightning v Coventry Blaze (7pm)

Nottingham Panthers v Fife Flyers (7pm)

Sunday 6

Belfast Giants v Sheffield Steelers (4pm)

Coventry Blaze v Glasgow Clan (5.15pm)

Manchester Storm v Nottingham Panthers (5.30pm)

Guildford Flames v Milton Keynes Lightning (6pm)

Fife Flyers v Cardiff Devils (6.30pm)

ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018-19

TEAM	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	PIM	STREAK
Belfast Giants	32	24	7	1	49	.766	123	71	448	3-0
Cardiff Devils	30	21	5	4	46	.767	122	79	364	1-0
Nottingham Panthers	35	18	10	7	43	.614	113	105	578	0-3
Fife Flyers	30	16	10	4	36	.600	104	96	411	1-0
Sheffield Steelers	32	17	15	0	34	.531	100	106	447	3-0
Guildford Flames	30	16	13	1	33	.550	100	91	414	2-0
Glasgow Clan	29	15	13	1	31	.534	94	100	363	0-2
Coventry Blaze	30	12	12	6	30	.500	97	113	381	1-0
Dundee Stars	32	11	13	8	30	.469	84	108	345	0-1
Manchester Storm	32	12	17	3	27	.422	89	118	800	0-1
Milton Keynes Lightning	32	10	20	2	22	.344	76	115	610	0-3