Giants Hit by Bolton from the Blue as Clan Win in Belfast

An extremely short-benched roster, which featured just three lines of forwards, battled bravely in front of another massive home crowd, but they were unable to secure back-to-back wins over their Scottish opponents having triumphed 5-2 in Braehead the night before.

First period

The Giants got the first opportunity to score on the powerplay as Ryan Harrison was sent to the box for tripping but came up empty, and instead Glasgow took the early lead at 11:18 when Bolton got his first of the night on the powerplay, Ciaran Long penalised for high sticking and the defenceman firing past Jackson Whistle off the post. (0-1)

But the game wouldn’t be tied for long as Quinn Preston scored his third goal of the weekend, Ara Nazarian drawing a tripping penalty from Robert Lachowicz and the centre firing high into the net past Clan netminder Antti Karjalainen from the right circle at 12:55. (1-1)

If either side was going to break the deadlock before the end of the period, then it would be the Giants and they had one more chance on the man advantage before the buzzer when Cody Sol tripped Charlie Curti, but this time the powerplay couldn’t connect.

Second period

Mack Stewart had two big chances early on in the middle frame as he drove down the right and fired on Karjalainen from the right circle, then tried to pick up the rebound but still couldn’t find a way past the Finnish netminder, who shut the door.

Instead, the Clan pulled ahead at 27:03 and it was Bolton who again struck with a thunderbolt of a shot, this time the defenceman walking onto a pass to the right circle and hammering it off the shoulder of Whistle and in. (1-2)

A penalty to Clan forward Michael Pelech - brother of former Giants captain Matt - presented the Giants with another chance and Greg Printz was inches away from tying it up again when he hit the post with an excellent shot, while at the other end Whistle had to be alert to throw out a pad to deny Dyson Stevenson’s tipped effort when Daniel Tedesco was sent to the box for interference.

Belfast continued to push late in the period and a too many men call against the Clan offered them the chance to equalise again on the powerplay, but the visitors held firm to reach the second intermission.

Third period

Having passed up several chances on the man advantage, the Giants were made to pay as the Clan found their third at 44:15, Whistle making the initial stop to deny Philippe Sanche’s shot, but the rebound found its way to Darien Craighead and the winger was able to go on the wraparound and score past the unsighted netminder. (1-3)

Belfast would have two late opportunities on the powerplay to bring themselves back into the game as Harrison (tripping) and Sol (slashing) headed to the box but they were continually frustrated by the excellent Karjalainen, who was in red-hot form.

And the Finn would cap a strong performance by keeping the home side at bay when they pulled Whistle late for the extra skater, turning away several excellent Giants opportunities to keep the gap at two and ensure the weekend double-header would be split one win apiece.

Up Next

The Stena Line Belfast Giants take on Dundee Stars on Friday 22nd September for their first game in their 2023/24 Challenge Cup campaign. Tickets are available here.