Belfast Giants bury the Flames

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The Stena Line Belfast Giants put seven goals past the Guildford Flames on Saturday night as the Giants made it two wins in as many nights against the English side.

The 7-2 win sees the Giants remain one point behind the Cardiff Devils at the top of the Elite League. Both David Rutherford and Jonathan Boxill posted a fight and a goal each as the Giants put on an impressive display in front of the home crowd.

Tyler Beskorowany backstopped the Giants to the second win of the weekend against the Flames with the home side missing Guillaume Gelinas, Pat Dwyer and Andrew Dickson.

Giants Double Trouble

Following two scoreless periods the previous night, this game got going early on. Blair Riley’s shot on goal was saved by Guildford’s Travis Fullerton with Jonathan Ferland pouncing on the rebound to put the Giants in front at 3:36.

Jordan Smotherman doubled the hosts lead at 17:36 on the powerplay with Chris Higgins cleverly picking out Belfast’s #14 in space at the back post.

Giants Momentum Continues In Middle Period

Kendall McFaull extended the Giants lead at 29:39 with a fierce wrist shot, unassisted, through Fullerton’s five hole.

Little over one minute later and the Giants got their fourth. Jim Vandemeer slid the puck to the onrushing Jordan Smotherman who’s one-timer was redirected into the Flames net by Chris Higgins at 30:42.

Tempers spilled over at the end of the second period when David Rutherford dropped the gloves with Guildford’s Jesse Craige at 39:19.

Belfast Battle Back After Guildford Goals

Guildford took advantage of a powerplay early in the final period with Calle Ackered ripping home a one-timer at 40:41.

Kruise Reddick made it a two-goal game at 49:11 with a powerplay strike, assisted by Ian Watters and Jesse Craige.

David Rutherford gave the Giants some breathing room with a cool finish on the powerplay at 52:37, assisted by Kyle Baun.

Jonathan Boxill’s clever finish at 53:14, assisted by Jonathan Ferland, restored the home side’s four goal advantage.

The Giants made it seven at 53:34 when Dustin Johner fed the puck to Josh Roach whose cannon of a shot, on the powerplay, ripped into the Flames goal.

Jonathan Boxill dropped the gloves late on with the Flames’ Brett Ferguson at 57:46.