Cullen Rocket Versus Clan Seals Four Point Weekend

FIRST PERIOD

The sides exchanged power plays early in the first, as Glasgow’s Gergely Toth sat for delay of game at 3:02, overlapped by Giants forward Tyler Soy sitting for slashing at 4:54.

A superb piece of individual skill from Ciaran Long brought the Giants close at the 15-minute mark, but as he reached the crease, Clan goalie John Muse tracked well and shut him down. Likewise, seconds later, Ben Lake found the puck on his stick at the blue paint- but was blocked out.

SECOND PERIOD

A Belfast too many men penalty served by Darik Angeli at 24:47 was quickly offset when Glasgow’s Steven McParland was sent for tripping at 25:25, sending the sides to 4 on 4.

Similar to Friday night’s encounter in Fife, Belfast dominated the shot count through the half hour mark with 48 shots (32 on goal) to Glasgow’s 14 shots (8 on goal) but were once again struggling for quality of offence in front of John Muse.

The Clan’s Mathieu Roy combined with Gary Haden at the back door for a chance the Clan should have buried, before Mark Cooper looked to have edged a lead on the power play at the other end (Toth, holding, 33:11), but a referee’s review saw it washed off.

Belfast saw a 5 on 3 power play pass them by as Mitch Jones joined Toth in the box for slashing at 33:34.

A penalty heavy period was rounded off when Giants forward Chad Butcher took 2+2 for spearing, along with Glasgow’s Jordan Buesa for slashing at 37:25, sending the Clan back onto the power play.

THIRD PERIOD

It was mid-period in the third before the Giants found their offensive spark, but they did it in incredible style when Will Cullen ripped a rocket of a one timer from deep left at 49:07. (1-0)

The Giants applied the pressure on the power play following a Dyson Steven cross checking penalty at 53:08, and their frustration was tangible when Muse swallowed up the puck on a goal mouth scramble.

Those frustrations spilled over when Will Cullen dropped the gloves with Steven McParland, earning both 5 for fighting at 56:23.

John Muse headed for the bench in the dying seconds, as the Clan iced the extra skater, but the Belfast Giants held on to complete the Scottish four-point weekend.

UP NEXT

The Stena Line Belfast Giants travel to Glasgow for a rematch with the Clan next Friday 4^th November, before returning home to The SSE Arena, Belfast for a Sunday Showdown with the Cardiff Devils on the 6^th November at 4:00pm. Tickets are on sale HERE!