Ice Hockey: Knights humbled by Giants' power

Belfast giants recovered from going 2-0 down to record a 5-4 victory over London Knights at the Docklands Arena last night.

Defenceman Chris Slater set the hosts on their way with a fine solo strike after just 144 seconds. Player-coach Paul Rushforth doubled the lead following some fine set-up play from Vezio Sacratini, who was icing in his 250th Superleague game.

However, the Giants came out after the first interval pumped up and reduced the arrears 90 seconds into the period as Doug MacDonald was left free to fire home and, just 24 seconds later, captain Colin Ward's well-placed shot tied the game.

Jeff Hoad restored London's advantage on the powerplay with Todd Kelman in the penalty box, but less than a minute later Ryan Kuwabara equalised again for Belfast.

The second period goals continued to flow and Lee Sorochan's short-handed effort put Belfast ahead for the first time in the match at 32.07.

London's Nathan Leslie and Kuwabara then dropped the gloves two minutes later, each earning five-minute fighting majors for their trouble. Sacratini then found the net 50 seconds from the end of the period to send the Knights into the second break on level terms.

The final session was a far quieter affair as both teams tightened up their defence but it was the Giants who took the points when leading goalscorer Rod Stevens found a way past Dave Trofimenkoff in the home goal in the 48th minute.

* More than 500 people turned up for a crisis meeting held by stricken Superleague side Manchester Storm at Manchester Town Hall. Storm have been forced to postpone their next three games and owner Gary Cowan spoke about the problems which have beset him from day one of his ownership of the club. He outlined that in order for the club to survive, a figure of £150,000 was required within the next three to four days.