Early goal enough for shutout success in Glasgow

First Period

The Giants got off to a hot start and they had the lead inside 90 seconds thanks to Logan Cockerill. The Michigan-born forward was sent streaking clear by a brilliant stretch pass from Kaleb Pearson and he made no mistake to open the scoring at 01:29 (0-1).

The visitors did their best to strike while the irons were hot with an effort from Mike Lee that was held by Rasmus Tirronen. The hosts had their first effort shortly after but Jake Kupsky did well to hold Mick Messner’s effort. The visitors put their foot down and had a barrage of shots on the home net. Christian Berger, Patrick Guay and David Goodwin all tried their luck but Tirronen was equal to them all.

Adam Keefe’s men were almost caught out after passing up on these opportunities as Brady Risk beat Kupsky but not the post. The home side did finish the period in the ascendancy with a shot from Julius Reini passing through a screen and into Kupsky’s glove before the Giants goalie had to react well to save from David Madsen late in the first to keep his side’s narrow advantage going into the first intermission.

Second Period

Lee tried his luck early in the second which was stopped by Tirronen before Ross Armour was sent to the penalty box for a tripping call. While he was sat down, the Giants' best chances fell to Conway and Ciaran Long but the Clan’s Finnish stopper was in fine form and the penalty was killed.

After Jake Gaudet had a shot held, Kupsky produced his finest stop of the evening as he stood tall to deny Cade Neilson on the breakaway before he also repelled Messner from close range. The visitors thought they had doubled their lead soon after when Conway forced the puck home after a giveaway from Deven Sideroff but the effort was ruled out for goaltender interference.

After this reprieve, Steven Birnstill’s men finished the second on top with Cole Kodsi and Alex Forbes having efforts that were stopped once again by Kupsky as both goalies stood tall. There was still time for one more chance as the clock ticked down with JJ Piccinich’s shot coming back off Tirronen’s shoulder as the second stanza finished goalless.

Third Period

The Clan began the third by pushing for a leveller as Messner slid the puck across the face of the net before Madsen produced a good move but fell foul of an inspired Kupsky again. Ty Prefonatine was then sat down for a hooking penalty and Sideroff and Messner tried their luck during the man advantage with powerful efforts that could not find the net.

Risk once again managed to find the ironwork as the home side ramped up their efforts as the clock ticked down before Pearson almost opened up a bit of breathing room but Tirronen stopped his shot. Gaudet and Jordan Kawaguchi then had efforts blocked before Glasgow dropped their tender to put the extra skater on the ice and Steven Seigo and Sideroff blasted shots on goal but Kupsky would not be beaten as the Wisconisn-born goalie outlasted the equally impressive Tirronen for his second shut-out of the year.

Up Next

The Giants return to home ice on Sunday (25^th October) for a clash with tonight’s opponents the Clan. Sunday’s game starts at 5pm and is the annual Halloween night. Tickets are selling fast but a limited amount are still available here.