Blaze 2, Giants 1 

As it turned out the spoils between the number one and two teams in the league this weekend where shared.  The Giants who took a superb win last night where frustrated by an excellent performance in goal by Coventry goalie Trevor Koenig.  He turned aside 33 shots by the Giants allowing only one past him when George Awada scored short handed.  It leaves the point’s gap at seven points, just as it was going into the weekend with Coventry having four games in hand to try closing the gap.  Still, they must win them all to do so.

Coventry scored two goals early in the first period.  One four on four and one short handed to put the Giants in a tough position.  Tired legs from the night before couldn’t have helped and baring Awada’s goal the Giants couldn’t find the twine all night.

Giants frustrations came to a head at the end of the second period when Jeff Hutchins and Danny Stewart dropped the gloves taking five minute penalties each.

The powerplay let the Giants down for a second night going 0-6 but unlike last night even strength got them nothing.  The top line for the Giants was help pointless again and have been struggling to get points as of late.  It’s the second line that’s been chipping in with the scoring, but then again earlier in the year it was the opposite so it does show the Giants strength in depth.  When both lines kick in, no team will match them in scoring, but they really could have done with both lines firing tonight.

Still, the Giant remain top and clearly in control.

Giants-History.com 3 stars:
1st Star: Jason Ruff
2nd Star: George Awada
3rd Star: Jeff Hutchins

Summary:

Belfast:
(19-5-1)
Awada: 1G (sh), 2pims
Morin: 1A
Dutiaume: 4pims
Ruff: 2pims
Kelman: 2pims
Hutchins: 9pims
Levers: 2pims

W: Minard (18-6-1-1) 25 saves

Coventry:
(16-5-0)
Watkins: 1G
Calder: 1G (sh), 2pims
Moore: 1A
Martin: 1A
Carlson: 1A, 2pims
Stewart: 9pims
Owen: 2pims
Simonton: 2pims
Cloutier: 2pims

L: Keonig (16-5-0) 33 saves

Giant’s line-up

Jason Ruff – Mark Dutiaume – Curtis Huppe
Shawn Skiehar – Jeff Hutchins – George Awada
Leigh Jamieson – Marc Levers – Mark Morrison
Gareth Martin

J.P. Morin – Roman Gavalier
Todd Kelman – Graeme Walton

Category: Game Recaps (06-07) » |

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