Posted on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 1:02 am
This was a must win game for Nottingham to keep alive their title hopes for this season. Belfast on the other hand will be disappointed having beaten league leaders Coventry last night. Nottingham are almost invincible at home at the moment as they have now stretched their winning run at home to 13 games, a current club record in the Elite League era.
Having gone behind to an early first period strike the home side hit back with two in the second period including the game winner from David Clarke and then added an insurance goal in the third period.
The game got off to an explosive start as Kevin Bergin and Sean McMorrow were binned on 5 minute majors for fighting with only 2 seconds on the clock. Belfast netted the only goal of the period as Jeff Szwez (28th) dispatched the puck away at 3.49 with a shorthanded goal.
The home side were back on level terms early in the second period as Jay Henderson (2nd) found the net at 21.04. They then took the lead at 25.38 as David Clarke (32nd) fired home on the powerplay.
The game remained close throughout the third period and Belfast had a great chance to level things up as they went on a 5 on 3 powerplay in the 48th minute but Nottingham held firm and killed off both penalties. This gave them confidence and Stephen Lee (2nd) netted at 55.01 and at that point there was no way back for the Giants.
Period Scores: 0-1, 2-0, 1-0
Penalty Mins: Not 17 Bel 15
Powerplay: Not 1/4 Bel – 0/5
Shots On: Kevin St Pierre 28 – Stephen Murphy 28
Referee: Andy Carson
© 2008 Belfast Giants Limited, unless otherwise stated. Imagery © Michael Cooper Photography.
