Giants perform against Capitals
Eleven goals, three fights and two points saw the Belfast Giants move to the top of Group A in the Challenge Cup standings.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Taking a two-goal lead in the first minute of the game, the Giants didn't let off the gas defeating the Edinburgh Capitals 9-2 on Friday night.
A short benched Capitals were no match for Giants as the home team carved up their opponents in this Challenge Cup Group A match up, highlighted by a Pierre-Luc Faubert hat trick.
It had all started disastrously for the Scots when Faubert opened the scoring with 39 seconds on the clock and Scot Colin Shields doubled the lead only 15 seconds later which had the home side two ahead inside a minute.
A powerplay strike by Faubert in the sixth minute made it 3-0 which was followed by Craig Peacock on 11mins to make the scoreline 4-0 before the visitors finally got on the scoreboard with a couple of goals from Capitals Man of the Match Owen Fussey and defenceman Chris Allen.
Giants stepped it up again before the first period break and Shields slotted in his second goal of the game and a fifth for the cup holders leaving the end of period score 5-2 to the Giants.
Second period goals came from Pat Bateman on nine minutes and Brandon Benedict 10 minutes later made the score 7-2 .
The visitors frustrations grew resulting in four fighting majors.
Capitals goaltender Cody Rudkowsky dropped the gloves with the Giants Pat Bateman and was left wishing he hadn't with Bateman winning comfortably, that was the last ice time Rudkowsky had on the night,Belfast born net minder Andrew Dickson took over in the visitors goal.
Giants Man of the Match Sean McMorrow and Capitals Andrew Sharp second fight of the season against each other resulted in another easy win for Belfast enforcer.
Giants remained in cruise control in the third period and scored twice more through efforts by Peacock at 46 mins and Faubert rounded of the scoring with 35 secs left in the period to complete his hat trick and an easy victory.
The Giants return to Elite league action on Sunday when they travel to Hull with Elite league leaders Nottingham Panthers the next team to play at the Odyssey on Saturday 24th November.
© UTV News