Giants Unable to Prevent Manchester Storming Back in Defeat

Goals from Mark Cooper and Matt McLeod had put the Giants two goals clear early in the second period but, despite a 38-save performance from Tyler Beskorowany, the home side were able to battle back and claim the two points, extending the Giants’ rough run.

First period

The Giants had the first chance of the game as Johnny Curran walked through the Storm defence and tested Evan Weninger on the backhand but couldn’t beat the netminder at his near post, before a slack pass in the defensive zone gave the Storm their first opportunity but Cameron Critchlow hit the crossbar and went over the net.

Stephen Johnson nearly set up Johnny Corneil for the hosts’ opening goal shortly after when his driven pass to the crease was well saved low down by Beskorowany after the latter supplied the tip, while a pass over the top sent Quinn Preston in on goal for the Giants but he shot wide.

But at 18:19 the deadlock would be broken and it came from captain Cooper, who was set into the zone by Daniel Tedesco and picked the top corner from the edge of the right circle. (0-1)

Second period

Having scored late in the first period, it took just nine seconds of the middle frame for the Giants to double their lead as McLeod produced a stunning individual effort, driving through the Storm defence and providing the finish (0-2), although the two-goal lead would last just two minutes as Critchow managed to beat Beskorowany shortside from the left circle at 22:17. (1-2)

A roughing call against Storm forward Loren Ulett put the Giants on the first powerplay of the game and they nearly capitalised when Preston brough the puck back in front of the net and they nearly forced it home on the scramble, but Weninger recovered to keep it out, and another powerplay when Joe Morrow received two minutes for roughing Sean Norris also went unpunished.

And that allowed Dallas Ehrhardt to tie it up at 36:54 as the Great Britain defenceman managed to tip a bouncing puck through the legs of Beskorowany from close range (2-2), and the Giants needed to kill off a late boarding call against Preston in order to keep it tied at the intermission.

Third period

Like in the second period, the final frame started with an early goal but unfortunately this time it went to the home side after just 17 seconds as Critchlow brought the puck back in front from behind the net and beat Beskorowany high to give the Storm their first lead of the game. (3-2)

An interference call against Charlie Curti gave the Storm a chance to extend their lead and they nearly did so, only for Ulett’s stick to break on a promising rebound, and another penalty was successfully killed when Jacob Friend spent two minutes in the box for high-sticking.

But try as they might, the Giants could not find a way past Weninger to tie the game and, with Beskorowany pulled for the extra attacker, although they survived Ulett hitting the post on the backhand, Will Merchant would make no mistake with his effort with 1:14 left on the clock to seal the game. (4-2)

Next up, the Stena Line Belfast Giants are back at home on Saturday 25 November, welcoming the Glasgow Clan to The SSE Arena, Belfast before heading on the road to take on the Nottingham Panthers a day later. Get tickets here.