Elite League round-up Saturday December 11

Belfast Giants 7 Dundee Stars 3

The Giants made it three wins out of three at home to Dundee in league action this season with this convincing win and with Nottingham going down to Edinburgh they have now opened up a nine point gap.

Belfast were quick off the mark as Mike Bayrack put them in front at 3.10. However, they had to wait until 14.38 before Dan Welch added a second. In the final minute of the first period Craig Peacock netted on the powerplay to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

The visitors pulled one back with a goal from Brent Hughes at 22.59. This was quickly cancelled out as Craig Peacock with his second goal of the game scored at 23.29. At 26.24 Jeff Mason with a powerplay goal increased the Giants lead to 5-1. Then a double from the Stars as Dan Ceman at 32.17 and Steve Makway at 34.58 on the powerplay made the game a bit more interesting. However, a powerplay goal from Michael Jacobson at 39.55 saw the Giants once again lead by three.

Only the one goal in the third period and it came the way of the home team as Mike Bayrack collected his second of the night at 56.34.

Cardiff Devils 3 Sheffield Steelers 2

Devils came from two goals down to hit three without reply to win by the odd goal in five. In the process, they created a club record of a 12 game winning streak. The win also saw them go second in the league their highest position this season and as for Sheffield they drop out the top three for the first time this season.

The game was held up at the start of the third period with a hole in the ice it was eventually repaired and the Devils went on to score twice to collect the points.

Earlier the visitors had taken a two goal lead with both coming in the first period. Neil Clark on a 5 on 3 powerplay got the first at 7.27. Then Ashley Tait added the second also on the powerplay at 12.15.

The hosts pulled one back with the only goal in the second as Tylor Michel netted on the powerplay at 24.46.

Having spent very little time on the ice Brad Voth who had picked up a misconduct penalty in the first period a fighting penalty in the second got his team back on level terms at 44.40. Then departed with a a game misconduct at 46.24. The Devils completed the comeback at 52.19 as Scott Matzka hit home the game winner.

Coventry Blaze 1 Hull Stingrays 3

Stingrays continued to shock the ‘top five’ as they took the points from last seasons mis-firing league champions with a very solid road display.

It’s now four unbeaten for Stingrays but only two wins in their last seven for Blaze.

Stingrays were the more positive side in the opening period and outshot their hosts by 2 to 1 but their only reward was a goal from Jason Silverthorn at 12.14.

The second period was more even with the expected Blaze revival and again only one goal was scored but this time it was the home side via Dan Carlson on the powerplay at 23.23 who did the damage.

Any thoughts Blaze had of going on from their was a script not read by their visitors and at 47.57 Kurtis Dulle fired Stingrays ahead for a second time. No way back for Blaze on this occasion and with goaltender Brett Jaeger pulled for the extra skater it was Andrew Coburn who found the empty net at 58.58 to seal the points for Sylvain Cloutiers men.

Edinburgh Capitals 5 Nottingham Panthers 4

Quite a game in Edinburgh, as the home side built up a 4-1 lead over suspension hit Panthers before almost throwing it all away - until Nick Fanto popped up with his second goal of the game in the final minute to give Capitals the points.

After taking three out of four points from league leaders Belfast last week it was a confident home side who opened up and went ahead after only 2.41 with a strike by David Lomas. At 8.51 on the powerplay skipper Martin Cingel doubled the home lead before Robert Lachowicz pulled one back for the visitors at 15.01 on a shorthanded play.

The second period saw Capitals hit two goals in just over a minute to appear to be in complete control. Fanto grabbed the first of those at 25.33 and 68 seconds later Chris St Jacques counted shorthanded to shoot his side 4-1 ahead – the score line remaining at the second period break.

Despite being short on numbers, Panthers stormed right back in the third period and in a spell of 207 seconds they incredibly tied the game. Only 12 seconds into the period and David Clarke netted, then Corey Neilson scored at 43.16 before at 43.39 Clarke with his second made it 4-4.

Not surprisingly Capitals called a time out at that point and steadied the ship. The game could have gone either way after that with the visitors looking the more lively but at 59.14 it was Fanto who came up big for the home side to fire home and give his side the points.

Newcastle Vipers 4 Braehead Clan 5

Troubled Vipers, may have financial woes right now but there is little wrong with the application of their squad of players as despite being down for most of the match against Clan they fought all the way, only losing out finally by the odd goal in nine.

It had been a great start by the Scots early on as they sped into a 2-0 lead after only 3.39. First on the mark was Adam Walker after only 57 seconds and he was followed by Bobby Chaumont, with his first goal in fourteen games to give the visitors the perfect start. Despite being heavily outshot Vipers took advantage of a powerplay opportunity at 12.27 and Dale Mahovsky was on hand to net.

The second period saw Clan again dominate the shot count but the period remained blank thanks mainly to Charlie Effinger between the home pipes but the action certainly hotted up in a wise open third period.

Only 53 seconds in and Vipers were level as Patrik Forsbacka scored but 21 seconds later Brendan Cook again fired the visitors ahead. The score remained that way until a late scoring burst.

Matthew Haywood with his first goal of the season had Clan 4-2 ahead at 54.12 but at 56.24 Jamie Carroll back to within one. With Effinger pulled Cook grabbed his second into the empty net at 59.14 and although Mike Prpich counted for Vipers with 10 seconds left there was no more time for the home side and Clan took the points and their first win in five.