Nearly didn't make this game thanks to something under my car snapping/breaking as I pulled out of my drive and making it immobile. Eternal gratitude to my very kind friends who picked me up at short notice meaning we all missed the first 2 minutes - as this was an absolutely cracking game of hockey.
Both sides came out fast and furious. Belfast seemed to be keen to play a very quick counter-attack tactic, and IMO they probably has most of the posession in the first period.
However, the Devils defence tonight was fantastic, and behind them Lyle was solid and controlling his rebounds well.
Devils took the lead after just 5 minutes on the powerplay. Birbraer and Votch cycle the puck around to Finnerty, who takes a slapshot from the blueline through traffic and through Murphy's 5-hole.
Devils 1-0 Giants
The goal seemed to give the Devils more confidence and 5 minutes later they scored a second. Finnerty broke down the left wing, passed the puck across the ice and although it missed Miller it was perfect for Voth who was unmarked at the far post and he tapped into the unguarded net.
Devils 2-0 Giants
Belfast were still looking dangerous but it was the Devils who all but sealed the game before the frst period break. Hill broke down the right wing and let loose a shot which Murphy looked to have saved, only for it to slip out and dribble over the line.
Devils 3-0 Giants
Into the second period, and although the Devils won the first period I felt it was quite even. However, the Devils totally dominated the second period and were even creating chance after chance on the penalty kill. Only a series of good saves from Murphy and missed chances stopped the Devils running away with it.
Final period and Devils did a great job of killing off the game and not letting the Giants back into, although they did start to give away a couple of silly penalties. Closest Belfast came to scoring was one of their players shot the puck from an incredibly tight angle, only for it clip the near post, miss both of Lyle's skates and bounce back out off the far post.
It was the Devils though who were still creating the best of the chances and Murphy made 2 or 3 great saves. With 2 minutes to go though the Devils finally got their 4th as their powerplay ended. Jarvis spotted Smith unmarked at the far post, and he one timed the pass in from a tight angle.
Cracking game of hockey, the first two periods were outstanding and after a couple of poor games it was nice to get back to the standard we had at the start of the season.
