Belfast Giants 4-2 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Stingrays got an unusually good start on the road, following another bout between Adam Knight and Giants enforcer Sean McMorrow, as two-way signing James Archer, making just his fifth appearance for the team, netted his third goal of the season on the powerplay after just six minutes had elapsed.
Another fight between Pat Bateman and Stingrays defenceman Stephen Burns followed in the first period before Konstantin Kalmikov, the team's leading goalscorer, added another to his season tally just after the first intermission to double the Rays lead at Belfasts second home, Dundonald.
The anticipated Giants comeback then began and steamrolled through the Stingrays, hitting four goals in 24 minutes. Goals from Colin Shields, Graeme Walton, Craig Peacock and Tim Walsh sealed victory for the home side, however, the loss came at a further cost for Sylvain Cloutier's side.
Aivars Gaisins, icing in just his second game for the Rays, broke his hand after sliding hand-first into the end boards with the Latvian now cruelly expected to miss the rest of the season after being signed less than a week ago.
Cloutier's team now move on to weekend fixtures in Nottingham before returning home for the player-coach's 1000th game as Ryan Jorde makes a return to the Hull Arena with the Newcastle Vipers.
SOG: 49-29
PIM: 14-20
