Giants weather the Storm in OT win

First Period

The first period was a slow burner with both teams struggling for early momentum. The first real chance when Brady Gilmour fired a shot just over the bar before Drew De Ridder made an excellent stop from Kaleb Pearson. However, that was just the warm up act for the Storm goalie who pulled off a stunning save to somehow keep out Cole Shudra’s shot.

Soon after this, Nicolas Guay was sent to the penalty box for high sticking and the hosts took advantage with Kyle Maksimovich finishing well on the back hand to open the scoring at 12:48 (1-0). It didn’t take long for Guay to atone for his indiscretion, though as, on his first shift since leaving the penalty box, he was in the right place to tip home Mike Lee’s shot from in front of the net at 14:11 (1-1)

Despite this quick-fire response, the hosts came inches away from retaking the lead when Anton Karlsson’s shot came don off the bar and landed on the line but did not cross it. The Swede thought he had scored but, after review, the on-ice call stood and the goal was not given meaning we went into the first intermission all square.

Second Period

Stephen Johnson had the first chance of the second period for the Storm but saw his shot saved and held by Jake Kupsky. The Giants had to soak up more pressure as the period wore on but did so well and, when the opportunity provided itself, they struck. A loose puck bobbled into the path of Patrick Guay who made no mistake to capitalise and give the visitors the lead at 26:08 (1-2).

Manchester responded well and came close when Kyle Locke almost squeezed a puck home from a narrow angle but was repelled by Kupsky. Jake Gaudet had a pair of chances for the visitors and they came either side of a third goal and a first goal for Ty Prefontaine. The big Saskatchewan-born d-man ripped home a shot from the blue line that wrong-footed De Ridder and nestled in the net to open up a two goal lead at 30:32 (1-3).

Third Period

Adam Keefe’s men started the third period well with a handful of chances, the best of which fell to Kaleb Pearson on the breakaway. Although he was denied, the Giants would soon get their fourth on 46:25 as Scott Conway mopped up the rebound after JJ Piccinich’s shot was saved by De Ridder (1-4).

To their credit, Cam Critchlow’s side didn’t lie down and answered back well as Maksimovich got his and his team’s second of the game on 51:56 (2-4). The home crowd got behind their team and Brandon Cutler rattled the bar but it looked as though the visitors would see out the victory.

However, with the Storm on the powerplay they pulled another one back inside the last minute through Gilmour at 59:08 (3-4). Despite the lack of time on the clock, Manchester came all the way back and tied the game with just 14 seconds remaining as Karlssson swept the puck home at 59:46 (4-4).

Overtime

The game never looked like it was going to go to overtime but, to their credit, the away side did not let their heads drop and they secured the extra point as Patrick Guay got his second of the game having been set up by Pearson at 62:04 (4-5). It perhaps was not the way they had drawn it out or even expected it late in the game but the Giants secured two points and a four-point weekend.

Up Next

The Belfast Giants are on the road for their first midweek game in Fife on Wednesday with the enxt home game Sunday (25^th October) against the Glasgow Can in what will be the Halloween game. You can grab your tickets here.