The Stena Line Belfast Giants secured their place at the 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham after a 1-1 draw with the Coventry Blaze saw Adam Keefe’s side finish 3-2 aggregate winners over the two quarter-final games.
FIRST PERIOD
A frantic start to the game saw both sides create early opportunities, with Kobe Roth going closest to putting the hosts ahead, and Ara Nazarian’s first-time effort denied by Blaze’s Taran Kozun in the opening stages.
Coventry continued to pile the pressure onto Jackson Whistle’s goal, with a flurry of efforts from Johnny Curran, Kobe Roth, and Mitch Cook needing the Giants’ netminder to spring into action, making a number of important saves to keep the scores level.
Travis Brown came agonisingly close to opening the scoring for the Giants as he sent a shot thundering through a crowd of bodies, only to see the puck ricochet off the post.
After the Giants gave away possession, the Blaze found themselves with an odd man rush, with Johnny Curran’s effort requiring a big pad save from Jackson Whistle. Curran once again went close to giving Blaze the lead, but was denied by the Giants’ crossbar.
It was the Giants that had the final opportunity of the period as Bobby MacIntyre bared down on the Blaze net. But Taran Kozun stood firm, making sure the score remained 0-0 heading into the first break.
SECOND PERIOD
The Blaze came out of the blocks fastest, still on the powerplay, with James Shearer’s early attempt forcing Jackson Whistle into a big save in the opening moments of the period.
The Giants then missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring as they found themselves on a 3-on-1 breakaway, only to be denied by Aidan Spellacy’s fantastic defensive effort.
However, the visitors didn’t have to wait long to net their first goal as Daniel Tedesco slotted the puck low into Taran Kozun’s goal to put the Giants one up on the night. (0-1)
The Giants maintained offensive momentum and saw a number of opportunities to extend their lead go begging, with Ben Lake, Kohei Sato, and Charlie Curti’s efforts going astray, meanwhile a good effort from Ara Nazarian clattered off the post and was cleared.
In the final seconds of the period, Johnny Curran sent another fine shot towards the Giants net, but Jackson Whistle’s excellent evening continued as he gathered it safely to ensure that the Giants’ two-goal aggregate advantage was kept intact.
THIRD PERIOD
Much like the previous period, it was the home side that registered the first opportunity as a momentary scramble in front of Jackson Whistle’s net led to a rebound effort from David Clements, which was batted away to safety by the Giants’ netminder.
The Giants then had the chance to double their lead on the night as a pass was fizzed across the face of goal, just inches from being tipped in by the oncoming Ben Lake. Taran Kozun was called into action shortly after as Daniel Tedesco and Kohei Sato saw good efforts shutdown by the Blaze shot stopper.
After Blaze opted for the extra skater in the final few minutes, their sustained pressure was rewarded as Danny Kristo levelled the scores on the night. (1-1)
Next up, the Stena Line Belfast Giants will take on the Cardiff Devils in the semi-finals of the 2023/24 EIHL Playoff Finals at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Saturday 20 April 2024. Tickets are on sale and available to purchase here.