Maiden Giants Victory Secures Pre-Season Split

First Period

Like Friday night, the Giants got off to a quick start, and it was the same pair who combined for the opening goal this time. Jake Gaudet teed up Kaleb Pearson to finish high into the roof of the net. (1-0) Having watched from the bench two days ago, Alexander Hellnemo got the nod between the pipes today for Herlev, and he made a stunning double save from Ty Prefontaine and Cole Shudra.

Ciaran Long was then sent to the penalty box for cross-checking, and Jake Kupsky was called into action for the first time as he denied Carl Skarstrom after neat passing from the visitors. The Giants goaltender would then make another smart save from Victor Cubars before Long immediately sprang from the penalty box and had a one-on-one stopped by Hellnemo.

It was soon the Giants’ turn to go on the powerplay after Joseph Jonsson was penalised for hooking. During the man advantage, David Goodwin and JJ Piccinich tried their luck but were repelled as we headed into the first intermission with the hosts a goal to the good.

Second Period

The first chance of the second period went the way of the Giants as Scott Conway tipped Jaeden Martin’s effort just over the top before Martin had another effort come back off the face mask of Hellnemo. Morten Jensen and Conway had a chance each before Shudra was sat down for high sticking, which prompted a barrage on the home goal.

The hosts would, ultimately, do well to kill this penalty, but not before Kupsky was called into action to deny Mathias Ingemann-Larsen and Cubars again. Adam Keefe’s men would get more work on their penalty kill soon after, as the Eagles would have a two-man advantage for almost 90 seconds.

To their immense credit, the Giants kept their goal intact with some heroic work from Kupsky and the defenders in front of the net, and the post also came to the rescue as it was rattled by captain Matthias Asperup. Kupsky also made saves from Noah Samsoe and Oskar Just as a scoreless second period saw the game very much in the balance heading into the third.

Third Period

The third period was initially low on chances, with the best coming from the hosts through Piccinich and Kell Beattie, who both forced saves. Christian Berger fizzed one over the top before the visitors tied the game late in the period through Jonsson (1-1).

The men in teal came back strongly after this setback and pushed to win it in regulation. The best all came from defencemen from Prefontaine before both Mason Klee and Mike Lee tried their luck, but Hellnemo stood firm to keep them out and take the game to overtime again.

Overtime

On Friday evening, it was the men from Denmark who snatched victory in OT, but this time, it was the Giants who got the all-important goal through Piccinich, who broke away at pace and finished well under pressure. (2-1)

As was the case in game one two days previously, there was a shootout with Skarstrom the only scorer for either side. However, the crowd at The O2 Belfast left happy as their side came away victorious.

Up Next

The Giants travel to Germany next week to compete in the Warrior Cup pre-season tournament. Their first game is against Swiss outfit HC Ambri-Piotta at noon on Saturday 5 September. The next home game sees the Dundee Stars travel to Belfast for a Challenge Cup clash on 19th September. That game is a 7pm start, and you can get tickets here.