Belfast Giants cemented their place at the top of the Elite League standings with a 5-3 comeback win against Nottingham Panthers.
Blaze, Steelers and Vipers also triumph; Hull begin with a draw
Belfast Giants cemented their place at the top of the Elite League standings with a 5-3 comeback win against Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.
The Northern Irish outfit notched three unanswered goals in the final period to silence the pumped-up Panthers.
Belfast got off to a dream start when Mark Garside scored the fastest opening goal of the season after just 14 seconds. The visitors were quickly back on level terms though, as Alex Penner struck home at 1.30.
Panther then went in front as Dustin Sproat netted at 7.20, but their lead was short-lived as Colin Shields restored parity at 8.30.
The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued when Panthers captain Danny Meyers found the back of the net at 15.35 to edge Nottingham back ahead at 3-2.
Thriller
But, after a goalless second period, Giants powered to victory in the final session thanks to further goals from Mike Bayrack (2) and a second of the night for Shields.
Sheffield Steelers made it seven wins from seven with a 4-2 win over
Dundee Stars at the 'House of Steel'.
Robert Dowd and a Jonathan Phillips brace put Sheffield in control and, despite Gary Wishart and Brent Hughes finding the net for Dundee, Ashley Tait sealed the points.
Coventry Blazed edged a 10-goal thriller in Edinburgh with a 6-4 victory over the
Capitals.
Greg Owen struck twice and further strikes from Luke Fulghum, Owen Fussey, Brad Cruikshank and Greg Chambers keep Blaze in the top four.
Also on Sunday,
Newcastle Vipers edged a league and cup double-header against
Braehead Clan 4-3, while
Hull Stingrays kicked off their disrupted season with a 3-3 draw against
Cardiff Devils.
