Flames Reach Belfast to Burn Giant Champs

Published on: 5 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 5 Apr, 2026

Josh Waller had a three-goal night (April 4) while two for Tyler Busch and a Josh Nixon single rounded out the scoring for a 6-2 win at league champion Belfast Giants.

The only goal of the opening set came when Busch tipped it past former Flames netminder Jake Kupsky late in the frame to send the visitors to break with a slim lead.

Less than four minutes into the second period, Reid Irwin levelled for Giants, but a pair of powerplay replies in the back half of the period by Waller then Busch’s second of the contest opened a two-goal Flames advantage through 40 minutes.

Nixon, just 60 seconds after re-start, made it 4-1. David Goodwin got one back for the hosts at 44:48, but just over a minute later Waller restored the three-goal spread then added a late empty netter to close out the hat-trick and the win.

Hat-trick scoring, Flames forward Josh Waller (#91) with Belfast Giants’ Scott Conway (#10) and Flames’ goalie Justin Fazio (#40) during Saturday night’s game at the SSE Arena, Belfast. Photo William Cherry/Presseye

Justin Fazio made 34 saves on 36 shots while Kupsky was 26 for 31.

“Getting a couple of powerplay goals late in the second was huge,” explained coach Paul Dixon, “to put us in the driver’s seat in a building that has historically been the site of our least successful road results over the years. It is a big win to beat the league champions on their ice.”

Photo attached of Flames forward Josh Waller who had 3 goals in the win. Photo by Belfast Giants.

For further information contact Kirk Humphreys, kirk@guildfordflames.com or 01483 452244 ex 3.