Giants downed by Steelers
The Belfast Giants fell to a 4-1 defeat at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night against the Sheffield Steelers.
First Period
The hosts had a couple of early chances that got Jackson Whistle into the action from the off before his brother – and former Steeler – Brandon tested Matthew Greenfield. JJ Piccinich then had a wicked shot on the turn stopped before the deadlock was broken. Jordan Kawaguchi teed up Nicolas Guay in front and Greenfield deflected his effort into the path of Patrick Grasso who swept home through bodies. (0-1)
Mitchell Balmas reacted quickly and rattled the mask of Whistle with his shot before the Giants goalie stopped long-range efforts from Brien Diffley and Kevin Tansey. However, there was nothing he could do when Robert Dowd’s pass from the corner took a deflection off Jake Gaudet and nestled in his own net (1-1)
Second Period
Balmas had the first opportunity of the second period when his puck on net found its way to Mitchell Heard but the Giants scrambled away. There was nothing that they could do, however, when Robert Dowd skated with speed into the offensive zone and put it on the tape of Kevin Tansey for the Steelers’ second goal. (2-1)
Scott Conway then had a big chance to level when Ryan Smith gave him a puck in front but he was denied by Greenfield. The period was disrupted by penalties as the two teams evenly split six of them. It was the first of those penalties that hurt the Giants as, with Ciaran Long sitting for slashing, Dominic Cormier rifled a shot through a crowd of bodies and past an unsighted Whistle in the visitors’ goal (3-1).
Garrett McFadden had a back-handed chance that was repelled as was another Balmas effort at the other end. Ultimately, a feisty second stanza saw the hosts head into the intermission ahead by two.
Third Period
The Giants came out strong to begin the third period with chances for Smith and Kawaguchi before Long’s effort was tipped wide by Conway. However, the hosts found their footing soon after with Sam Tremblay hitting the crossbar before they got their fourth goal that, ultimately, took the game away from Adam Keefe’s men.
That goal came from Ryan Tait as he stroked home past Whistle for his side’s fourth (4-1). The Giants tried to get their way back into proceedings with chances for Grasso and David Goodwin but Greenfield and the home defence held firm for the victory.
Up Next
The Giants’ next game is on the road in Cardiff against the Devils on Friday (7th November) before returning to home ice next Sunday (9th November) to round off their Challenge Cup group stage against Dundee Stars. You can grab tickets for that game here.
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