Belfast Giants opened their Motorpoint Elite League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Coventry Blaze at the Skydome, ending Coventry’s unbeaten start to the league season. Jake Kupsky kept the hosts off the scoreboard, including with a diving save on Jaxson Ezman’s one-timer during a scoreless first period. He also denied Colby MacArthur as the forward moved into a scoring position.
The decisive goal came at 32:39. Jake Gaudet tipped a shot from the point to give Belfast their first goal of the league season. Both teams continued to create chances in the second period, but Coventry went into the third trailing by one.
Coventry pressed in an end-to-end final period and had a powerplay opportunity, while Belfast threatened on the counterattack. Ezman had another one-timer stopped by Kupsky. With 1:39 remaining, Coventry pulled Evan Fitzpatrick, but the late pressure produced no equaliser. Kupsky completed the shutout as Belfast held on for the win.