Giants Storm Manchester to Get Back to Winning Ways

Ciaran Long, Travis Brown and Ara Nazarian had put the visitors in a commanding position heading into the third period before Preston struck twice, with Beskorowany turning away 18 of the 19 shots he faced for a quality start between the pipes.

FIRST PERIOD

Belfast were the first team to be shorthanded as Jeff Baum was penalised for tripping but the visitors rallied to see off the early penalty and that allowed them to forge ahead with two excellent goals in quick succession.

The first came from Long, the centre positioned perfectly at the back post to receive Jacob Friend’s perfectly executed shot-pass that hit off the back boards and rebounded perfectly to his stick to tap in at 12:53 (0-1), and then just 50 seconds later Brown doubled their advantage as his shot straight from the face-off beat Evan Weninger down low. (0-2)

Adam Keefe’s men had one chance to add to their tally before the end of the period as C.J. Garcia was punished for a slashing call, however the Giants couldn’t find the net again before the buzzer.

SECOND PERIOD

The Giants had two early chances on the breakaway as first Matt McLeod and then Greg Printz were stifled by Weninger, the pair getting their shots away but unable to beat the netminder.

A slashing penalty against Samuel Tremblay put the Giants on an early powerplay as they tried to extend their lead but they couldn’t connect, and just as the penalty expired the Storm got on the board as a lovely passing play left Mitchell Martan alone at the back post and was able to squeeze the puck past Beskorowany at 32:25. (1-2)

But the Giants’ response was quick and they deservedly restored their two-goal lead just 43 seconds later at 33:08 as Friend fired towards goal and Ara Nazarian was able to tip the puck in, leaving the goaltender with no chance. (1-3)

THIRD PERIOD

It took just 2:55 of the final frame for Belfast to add to their score as Preston got his first of the game, the centre being forced to his knees in the slot but still managing to find the finish as he slotted home to increase the visitors’ lead to three. (1-4)

From there, the Giants were in complete control as they closed out the game in style, and when goalscorer Martan was sent to the box for slashing, Preston punished the Storm’s indiscipline with a fine wrist shot from the right face-off dot that beat Weninger high to his glove side for the final goal of the night at 55:26, wrapping up the two points. (1-5)

UP NEXT

The Stena Line Belfast Giants are back at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Saturday 11 November with the Cardiff Devils the next opponents in their 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign. Tickets are available here.