Clan Come Out on Top in First Half of Weekend Double-Header

First Period

The visitors had the first sighting of a goal in this one through Brady Risk and Darien Kielb, but the former was saved by Jake Kupsky, and the latter's whistling shot went wide. The Giants returned the favour with efforts wide from Karl Boudrias and Jordan Kawaguchi before Mike Lee was sat down for a cross-checking penalty.

While they had their man advantage, the Clan had a chance when Rylan Schwartz tipped a wide shot before Risk reacted quickest to a rebound from Cade Neilson’s shot to give the visitors the lead (0-1). The hosts responded well to this setback with chances for JJ Piccinich, Ciaran Long and Scott Conway while Jason Fram and Joe Hazeldine got pucks on net at the other end.

However, we would head into the first intermission on level terms thanks to Piccinich, who forced the puck home in front of the net after good work from Conway. (1-1) It could have been better for the hosts, but Sami Aittokallio saved well from Gabe Bast.

Second Period

Piccinich went after his second straight from the restart, and Conway also got a shot on net, but Aittokallio saved well from both. This proved to be crucial as Tristin Langan pounced on a loose puck in front of the net to give the visitors their lead back. (1-2)

The hosts fell further behind soon after when Robert Lachowicz made the most of a misunderstanding in centre ice and finished well one-on-one with Kupsky (1-3). Adam Keefe called a time-out after this, and his side responded well with a spell of sustained pressure. However, they could not force the puck home with an Aittokallio pad save from a Brandon Whistle shot, and Reid Irwin rattling the post, the closest they came.

Third Period

The Giants’ defencemen were, again, getting pucks on net to start the third, with Bast and Lee seeing good efforts tipped wide. Brayden Burke was sent to the penalty box for hooking soon after, but the Clan killed the penalty well, meaning a blocked Scott Conway shot was the best the hosts could muster.

A Piccinich penalty was killed too, despite Langan crashing down on the net before another Giants’ man advantage almost resulted in a short-handed goal for the Clan as Chris McKay bore down on Kupsky, only to be denied well by the home goalie.

Adam Keefe’s men continued their siege on the Clan goal with efforts from Kawaguchi and Ryan Smith, but ultimately, they did not do enough, and the Clan came away from The SSE Arena, belfast with the two points.

Up Next

These two meet again on Sunday 22 March in Glasgow, with a 4pm puck drop, before the Giants return home for a massive double-header with the Nottingham Panthers next Friday and Saturday. Both games are selling fast, but limited tickets are available here.