Giants Out-Duel Clan to Seal Four-Point eekend

First Period

The hosts came out of the traps quickest and immediately had the Giants on the back foot as Jake Kupsky had to be alert to deny early shots from Mick Messner and Rylan Schwartz. Kupsky again made a good save from Ross Armour but could do nothing on the rebound as Armour followed up his own shot to give the Clan a lead on 02:46. (1-0)

This seemed to jolt the visitors into life and they responded well with chances of their own. First JJ Piccinich’s effort was tipped into the screen by Rasmus Tirronen before Glasgow’s Finnish stopper reacted superbly to close down the space and deny Scott Conway at his near post. He had the Giants’ number again soon after as, after diverting Mike Lee’s shot into the path of Kaleb Pearson, he was in position again to deny the Ontario born forward on the follow-up.

Desite this period of pressure, the visitors were hit with a second blow as Matt Spencer smashed a roofer past Kupsky almost from the blue line on 16:41 to leave Adam Keefe’s men with a mountain to climb going into the second period. (2-0)

Second Period

The Giants came out after the intermission and had the first couple of big chances. First, David Goodwin’s shot found the logo on Tirronen’s jersey before Lee just slid one wide of the post. Lee then got a crucial touch on a shot at the other end from Jake Johnson that redirected it into the glove of Kupsky.

The Clan continued their momentum as they pressed for a third goal that would make things very difficult for the Giants and Reece Harsch’s effort was once again held by Kupsky. The Wisconsin-born net-minder was keeping his side in contention with a string of quality saves and he got the better of Deven Sideroff and Tristin Langan before the visitors went on the powerplay after Harsch was penalised for interference.

Adam Keefe’s men could not score on either powerplay the night before in Dundee and, after Tirronen denied Goodwin and Jake Guadet in quick succession, it looked as though they wouldn’t break that duck here either. However, with the clock almost out, Lee unleashed a trademark rasper from the blue line that Scott Conway tipped home with the puck nestling in the net with a solitary second left in the period. (2-1)

Third Period

The Giants rode that high into the third period and were level just 22 seconds after the restart. It was Conway once again who grabbed the goal when he reacted quickest to Tirronen pushing away Piccinich’s effort. (2-2) This could have been a real sucker punch for the hosts but they responded well and came a post’s width away from retaking the lead through Langan’s effort before Brady Risk fired over the top with only Kupsky to beat.

The rest of the third was an end-to-end affair with both sides trying to win it in regulation. Gaudet and Spencer traded efforts that were saved by each respective goalkeeper before both made superb double saves. Kupsy’s came from efforts from Messner and Schwartz before Piccinich tried his luck twice only to be repelled by Tirronen. Ultimately, though, we would go into overtime to decide this one.

Overtime

The additional five minutes produced little chances of note as the two teams battled for the extra point. Conway tried for his hat-trick but had an effort blocked in front of the net while Steven Seigo tried to be the hero for Glasgow but was stopped again by Kupsky.

That would not be the end of Kupsky’s heroics as we into a shootout just like we did at this same venue in April’s play-off quarter-final. This time, however, it was the visitors who came away with the two points with Piccinich scoring the solitary goal as Kupsky saved three Clan efforts. That meant the defending champions will return home next weekend with maximum points in their hand luggage. (2-3)

Up Next

The Belfast Giants return home for another Challenge Cup double-header and the first competitive home game at The O2 Belfast next weekend. The first of those sees the visit of the Dundee Stars on Saturday 19 September followed by a clash with the Fife Flyers the next day. You can get your tickets for both games here.