Elite League: Belfast Giants 0-5 Coventry Blaze

The Belfast Giants slumped to their first defeat of the new Elite League season as they were beaten 5-0 by the Coventry Blaze at the Odyssey Arena.

Netminder Mike Zacharias was the Coventry man of the match as he made 40 saves for a shut-out while Adam Henrich and Ryan Ginand each scored two goals.

Michael Henrich, brother of Adam, scored the other with a simple tap-in.

The Giants are in action next weekend when they face Dundee Stars and Braehead Clan on Friday and Saturday.

The Blaze took advantage of an early powerplay when the Giants were caught out on a bad line change and Adam Henrich scored at 2:50.

It was the first time Paul Adey's side found themselves behind in a game this season.

The Belfast side had plenty of opportunities to equalise but could find no way past Zacharias and they were hit on the counter attack at 10:46 when Michael Henrich found the net.

The third goal for the visitors came with the man advantage at 24:24 when Ginand produced an outstanding individual piece of skill before burying the puck past Stephen Murphy.

The Giants out-shot the Blaze 40-21 but were denied every time by Zacharias and Adam Henrich's goal with just under six minutes left and another late on for Ginand rounded off the scoring and left the Giants with much to ponder before their home doubleheader against the Dundee Stars and Braehead Clan.