The Belfast Giants produced an excellent three-line performance to defeat the Cardiff Devils in the latest televised fixture in the Elite League.
Speaking to Premier Sports’ Aaron Murphy, Belfast head coach Adam Keefe praised his team for overcoming a strong opponent while short-benched.
“I think I knew that we were going to turn up and be good, especially in the first period,” Keefe said of his team’s performance in Cardiff. “We thought that we would have the edge if our three lines played well against their four.”
Although the Giants were impressive from top to bottom, Keefe’s first line of David Goodwin, Scott Conway, and Mark Cooper was especially effective.
Belfast’s top trio each recorded at least two points versus the Devils, cementing their status as one of the Elite League’s best units.
🏒 Belfast Giants coach Adam Keefe chats to @MurphOnIce following his team’s win over Cardiff Devils
“I think I knew that we were going to turn up and be good, especially in the first period.” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/8IXy3U6p3U
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) October 21, 2022
“They’re certainly competitors and they know how to win in this league,” Keefe said of his top line. “But I liked all three of our lines, especially in the first period. We were controlling the puck and that’s the way we want to look.
“It’s hard to play the way I’m asking them to play, and it’s a lot more taxing to do defend the way I expect them to when we only have three lines, but I like that we held onto the lead.”
The Giants also received excellent netminding versus the Devils, with Team GB’s Jackson Whistle producing a run of fine stops in the final period.
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When asked about his netminder’s 34-save performance, Keefe added: “I thought he was great. He looked confident in there, almost as if he was swatting away flies. That’s important and it gives the group confidence. It’s a great performance by him and a great performance by the team.”
However, the Giants and Devils switched roles for the rest of the weekend, with Cardiff winning back-to-back and Belfast falling to defeat versus the Guildford Flames – who increased their lead at the top of the standings.
Elsewhere in the Elite League, the Glasgow Clan continued their marathon run of defeats while the Sheffield Steelers enjoyed a four-point weekend.
In the National League, Raiders IHC recorded a perfect set of results versus Bees IHC and the Telford Tigers.
Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants headlines seventh week of the Elite League season
Wednesday, 19 October 2022
- Glasgow Clan 2-3 Nottingham Panthers (SO)
- Sheffield Steelers 1-2 Dundee Stars
Friday, 21 October 2022
- Cardiff Devils 2-4 Belfast Giants
Saturday, 22 October 2022
- Guildford Flames 4-3 Belfast Giants
- Manchester Storm 5-2 Dundee Stars
- Glasgow Clan 0-5 Cardiff Devils
- Fife Flyers 5-3 Coventry Blaze
- Challenge Cup: Nottingham Panthers 4-7 Sheffield Steelers
Sunday, 23 October 2022
- Coventry Blaze 4-3 Glasgow Clan (OT)
- Fife Flyers 3-4 Cardiff Devils (OT)
- Guildford Flames 6-3 Dundee Stars
- Challenge Cup: Sheffield Steelers 6-0 Manchester Storm
National League, Week Six
Friday, 21 October 2022
- Leeds Knights 6-1 Milton Keynes Lightning
Saturday, 22 October 2022
- Bristol Pitbulls 1-6 Telford Tigers
- Milton Keynes Lightning 4-5 Swindon Wildcats (OT)
- Peterborough Phantoms 9-3 Hull Seahawks
- Raiders IHC 7-5 Bees IHC
- Sheffield Steeldogs 4-3 Basingstoke Bison
Sunday, 23 October 2022
- Bees IHC 1-2 Sheffield Steeldogs
- Hull Seahawks 0-8 Peterborough Phantoms
- Telford Tigers 5-6 Raiders IHC
