Giants Mark Shields Retirement With Clan Victory

Doubles from Mark Cooper and Scott Conway, plus a fifth from Lewis Hook marked a special night for the club as Colin Shields’ number 19 jersey was retired in front of a vocal Teal Army.

FIRST PERIOD

Glasgow had the occasional rush, but it was the Belfast Giants who looked sharper in the opening five minutes, moving the puck well in the Clan zone and testing goalie Shane Starrett early.

Liam Stenton’s hooking call at 5:30 sent the Giants buzzing around the crease on a lengthy delayed call, and it didn’t take long for the power play unit to take full advantage. Griffin Reinhart’s sauce from the blue line found JJ Piccinch on the left wall before his puck to the edge of the crease was chipped goalward by Scott Conway at 6:12. (1-0)

Jordan Boucher’s solo drive to the net with 7 minutes remaining was worthy of a goal, but his backhand shot struck the outside netting. Starrett was peppered in a phase of Giants pressure 2 minutes later, with Tyler Soy coming closest at the back door.

It was therefore fully deserved when JJ Piccinich wrapped the puck around the net and found Conway at the crease (again) for his second at 17:53. (2-0)

SECOND PERIOD

Tim Shoup’s tripping call at 22:01 opened the door for Belfast’s third. Yet again, persistence in going to the net paid off when Piccinich’s pass from the left circle found Mark Cooper on the power play at 22:43 (Second assist: Griffin Reinhart). (3-0)

Lewis Hook’s forced turnover in the Clan zone with seven minutes of the period remaining was lasered to Jordan Boucher in the slot. The Giants forward went in-close but was denied in impressive fashion by the right pad of Starrett.

Mark Cooper added his second at 34:05, finishing Slater Doggett’s puck from close range to extend Belfast’s lead. (4-0)

Glasgow opened their account 37:28 when Braylon Shmyr crossed the blue line and dangled Beskorowany in a superb piece of individual skill. (4-1)

THIRD PERIOD

The Glasgow Clan defended bravely throughout the first ten minutes of the period, hoping for their opportunity to chip away at Belfast’s lead. Sam Ruopp combining with Tyler Soy with 11 minutes remaining was perhaps the offensive highlight of ten minutes of efficient Giants press.

The Giants first penalty kill was uneventful when Jordan Boucher sat for hooking at 52:13- an efficient kill at a key point in the game.

Lewis Hook brought proceedings to a conclusion at 57:58 when his one timer from the left circle off a Cam Knight pass sailed home for number five. (5-1)

The Giants saw out their second victory over the Glasgow Clan in a week with a little help from a late power play, as Colton Waltz sat for holding at 58:33.

UP NEXT

The Belfast Giants take to the ice at the SSE Arena on Sunday for their second game of the weekend as the Guildford Flames visit with two GIANT Premier Sports Elite League points up for grabs. Tickets are on sale HERE!