Giants Dominate in Midweek Trip to Glasgow

A JJ Piccinich hat-trick, plus goals from Lewis Hook, Scott Conway, Ciaran Long and Slater Doggett sent Adam Keefe’s side home across the Irish Sea with another two vital Premier Sports Elite League points.

FIRST PERIOD

The Stena Line Belfast Giants hit the ground running in the first period, despite being a man short after 2:30. With Lewis Hook in the box for holding the stick, JJ Piccinich crossed the blue line short handed and ripped an opener past Clan goalie Shane Starrett at 2:39 (Assist: Kevin Raine). (0-1)

Piccinich, who missed Friday night’s encounter with Nottingham through illness before returning to the line-up on Saturday, then promptly doubled his tally at 7:23 (Assist: Lewis Hook, Scott Conway). (0-2)

Meanwhile the Glasgow Clan struggled to get to grips with the Giants’ early intensity, taking back-to-back penalties mid period (Mitch Jones, hooking, 9:59 & Nolan LaPorte, slashing, 14:28).

Back at 5 on 5, Darcy Murphy’s puck from behind Starrett’s net at was lined into the path of Lewis Hook who made no mistake from close range at 18:13. (0-3)

The Clan then suffered another penalty to cap off a miserable opening period as Colton Yellow Horn sat for tripping at 18:36.

SECOND PERIOD

Jordan Boucher was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the second period, after his breakaway effort in the 26^th minute was denied by Starrett, before Lewis Hook pass from the right teed up a wrister from the slot which struck the post moments later.

Glasgow’s best chance of the game followed, as Nolan LaPorte forced a turnover on Belfast’s Mark Garside in the zone before , but his backhand effort was denied comfortably by Tyler Beskorowany.

Glasgow’s penalty troubles continued throughout the second period, as Dyson Stevenson sat for hooking at 31:27, before Mitch Jones was assessed a double Minor for high sticking at 33:13.

A visibly frustrated LaPorte was then called for slashing at 35:00, handing the Giants a full two minutes of 5 on 3 power play.

The visitors moved the puck with precision in Glasgow’s third, with Scott Conway finally finding a clear shooting lane at 36:11 (Assist: David Goodwin). (0-4)

THIRD PERIOD

It was Belfast’s turn to tackle some penalty issues early in the third period, as Kevin Raine (roughing, 45:35) followed Slater Doggett (tripping, 40:59) to the box. The Clan worked hard at the crease and were rewarded when Mathieu Roy finally opened their account at 45:50 (Assist: Colton Yellow Horn, Mitch Jones). (1-4)

Rather than allow the hosts to establish a foothold, and with memories of a late comeback in Manchester fresh in the minds of the Teal Army, the Belfast Giants responded with a two-goal blitz which iced the game with over ten minutes remaining.

A Mitch Jones cross checking penalty opened the door for JJ Piccinich to bag his hat-trick goal on the power play at 48:48 (Assist: David Goodwin, Scott Conway). (1-5)

Just 31 seconds later, a rocket of a one timer from Ciaran Long beat Starrett to suck the air out of the Braehead Ice Centre (Assist: Lewis Hook, Jordan Boucher). (1-6)

There was time for one final Giants power play as Matt Haywood was called for a face off violation at 56:29, and one final goal when Slater Doggett capitalised on a beautiful piece of individual skill around the net from Tyler Soy at 58:46, capping off a dominant performance on the road. (1-7)

UP NEXT

The Belfast Giants return home to The SSE Arena, Belfast this weekend for a rematch with the Glasgow Clan on Friday night at 7:00pm, before the Guildford Flames arrive in Belfast on Sunday at 4:00pm. Tickets are on sale HERE!