Lee seals overtime win in final Belfast game of 2025

First Period

The first period saw plenty of chances with most of them coming towards Lucas Brine in the visitors’ goal. He did well to hold a Garrett McFadden effort while another defenceman in Bo Hanson also tested the Clan goalie. Ryan Smith had a gilt-edged chance from right in front that Brine repelled too before former Giant Daniel Tedesco broke away but couldn’t connect with Brayden Burke for what would have been a big chance.

Smith was denied again before Jackson Whistle was called into action by Rylan Schwartz with Deven Sideroff almost squeezing home the rebound from behind the net. Smith had been a thorn in the Clan’s side early in this one and, after Whistle had saved well from Brayden Burke, the Virginia native got his moment. He was in the right place at the right time to squeeze the puck home after Brine had saved well again to give the hosts the advantage at the first intermission. (1-0)

Second Period

Both sides had chances out of the gate after the break with David Goodwin unable to squeeze home a rebound after Brine had saved from Scott Conway before Tristin Langan spurned a good opportunity at the other end. The sizeable travelling support were on their feet shortly after though as Colton Poolman’s shot was tipped home in front by Jason Fram to tie the game (1-1)

After netting his first Giants goal on Boxing Day, Carsen Twarynski was trying his best to add to his total before Jordan Kawaguchi rattled the post off a rebound from a Hanson shot. All of these chances eventually gave way to a blitz of goals with three in three minutes.

The first two of those went the way of the hosts with JJ Piccinich diverting Gabe Bast’s shot home to re-establish the lead. (2-1) That was followed exactly a minute later by Ben Lake rifling home from the left hash marks to open up a two goal lead (3-1)

However, any thoughts that the men in purple would wilt were put to bed two minutes after that when Fram got his and his team’s second goal of the game when he prodded home a rebound after Schwartz’s effort was stopped. (3-2) Corey Neilson’s men had chance to level just before the buzzer but Whistle denied Burke well on the breakaway.

Third Period

Despite this, we wouldn’t have to wait long for the game to be tied up as, six minutes into the third, Schwartz tipped home a shot from Miikhali Teppo to tie us up again at three (3-3) Austin Mitchell-King then came close to giving his side a first lead of the night but couldn’t keep his puck down. The Giants found their feet and were testing Brine again with Piccinich and Mike Lee having efforts stopped by the English goalie.

Both sides had efforts on the breakaway that they couldn’t take advantage of with Goodwin and Steven Seigo spurning efforts at either end as the clock ticked down. Poolman and Marcus Eriksson then exchanged chances but this see-saw game would go all the way to overtime.

Overtime

The extra period of hockey didn’t last long though as the Giants secured the extra point with just eight seconds on the clock. It was Lee who hammered home the winner after being teed up off the opening faceoff by Nicolas Guay (4-3).

Up Next

The final game of 2025 takes place today in Glasgow as the reverse fixture takes place at Braehead Arena at 2pm. The Giants are back on home ice for the first time in 2026 on January 10 as they welcome the Nottingham Panthers to The SSE Arena. That game is a 7pm start and you can get tickets here.