GIANTS AT THEIR BAST TO CLAIM STAVANGER PRE-SEASON WIN

For the second night in a row JJ Piccinich, Marcus Eriksson and Mike Lee were all on the scoresheet again, as was centre Scott Conway, as the Giants warmed up for their Champions Hockey League bid a comfortable victory on home ice.

First period

After a sluggish opening period in the first game, the Giants burst out of the blocks in the rematch and Conway drew an early glove save from Jens Auke Hoekstra in the Oilers net, while Patrick Grasso just fired wide from a promising position either side of a Carter Hamill roughing call that was navigated well by the special teams.

But in the space of under three minutes the Giants were two goals to the good, Piccinich getting things started when he was found in front by Eriksson and flicked it over Hoekstra’s shoulder at 10:45 (1-0), then Eriksson went from provider to scorer as he ripped in a one-timer from the right circle for a powerplay goal at 13:22 (2-0).

There could have been more goals before the end of the period as Garrett McFadden had a shot gloved by Hoekstra and then Ryan Smith was denied in close by the Norwegian netminder, while at the other end Gravel was tested for the first time when Ludvig Hoff and Zach Andrusiak tested him in quick succession.

Second period

Another hot start to the second period for the Giants saw Grasso this time denied a first goal in teal by the shoulder of Hoekstra, and then Piccinich was close to adding his second of the night only for the netminder to similarly deny him from the left circle as the home side tried to step up the pace.

A tripping call on Bast put the Giants back on the penalty kill but they were able to see it out with very little difficulty, although Johannes Løkkeberg nearly produced a world-class finish as he skated coast-to-coast and tested Gravel but found the netminder unbeatable with the shot.

And that allowed Bast to take the Giants’ lead to four with two goals 42 seconds apart, the defenceman firing in a fantastic snapshot from the right circle for his first at 36:59 (3-0), and then he was able to dance in from the right and beat Hoekstra in close for the second at 37:41 (4-0).

Third period

Another quick start to the period for the Giants was rewarded with an early goal as Lee continued his red-hot form with a shot from the high point that went all the way in at 44:47 (5-0) and Gravel continued his impressive night as he robbed Mathias Trettenes a goal with a brilliant glove save.

Both sides passed up powerplay opportunities as Anders Tangen Henriksen headed off for boarding and then Jake Gaudet was penalised for cross-checking, and André Bjelland Strandborg’s dangerous effort had to be blocked wide by McFadden, with Gaudet almost scoring on his release from the box, pulling a silky move from the left circle that was saved by Hoekstra.

There was still time for two more goals, though, Conway pouncing on a loose puck in the right circle and finishing low for his first of the year at 56:30 (6-0), but it wouldn’t be a shut-out for Gravel as Stavanger attacked with pace late and Løkkeberg got his goal, following in the rebound and putting it in at 58:35 (6-1).

Overtime

Like on Friday, the two sides took to the ice for a period of overtime even though the result was already secure and Gravel did the business at one end to deny Mattias Nørstebø in close before Ben Lake won it for the Giants, picking up on the rebound from Bast’s initial shot to force it past Hoekstra.

Shootout

The Oilers did get a consolation win by claiming the shoot-out at the end of the game, however, as Trettenes and Cam Morrison both beat Gravel while Hoekstra turned away all four of Belfast’s efforts.

Next up

The Belfast Giants begin their competitive season with two massive Champions Hockey League games on home ice against Finnish opposition, with KalPa arriving at the SSE Arena on Thursday August 28, followed by Ilves Tampere coming to Belfast on Saturday August 30. Tickets for upcoming home games are available here.