Giants begin league campaign with win

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants came from behind to secure a 3-1 home win over Fife Flyers on Sunday night, starting their league campaign with victory at the SSE Arena.

“I think we played well enough to get the win, but I think we have a lot more to bring,” began Giants forward Ciaran Long. “Defensively we were pretty sound, but I think we could have created a few more chances. Overall, it was a good performance, but Fife played well too and limited us to some tough shots.”

The Flyers opened the scoring at 6:27 through Jeremy Masella, who reacted quickest to a loose puck in front and poked it across the line after the Giants failed to clear their zone.

Belfast hit back midway through the period. Marcus Eriksson pulled the puck back to Scott Conway in the slot, and he finished high past Christian Purboo at 13:42 to level the game.

The hosts then struck on the powerplay to take the lead before the first intermission. With Vlastimil Dostálek in the box for hooking, Ryan Smith found Eriksson in front of goal, and the Swede managed to squeeze the puck past Purboo at 18:03.

"You have to have the mindset that every game is important, especially playing for the Giants,” said Long, whose side returned to domestic play after their Champions Hockey League campaign. “We want to win all three trophies. It’s a tough league, and you have to show up every night if you want to be successful.”

After a goalless spell early in the second, Belfast converted again on the man advantage. Mike Lee fed Jordan Kawaguchi in the right circle, and his shot deflected off a Flyers defender and into the net at 36:19 to make it 3-1.

Both goalies were kept busy in the third period, but the Giants saw out the game comfortably to take both league points. A late penalty on Mason Alderson halted any chance of a Flyers comeback in the closing minutes, with Adam Keefe’s side managing the game confidently to the final buzzer.

"I think we were the only team not to have played a league game yet, but every game is important," concluded Long. "It doesn’t matter how early it is – if you want to win the league, you need to win as many as you can, as early as possible.”