BELFAST GIANTS ABSOLUTELY DOMINATE AT HOME ON VALENTINE’S GAME NIGHT

There was no love in the air between the Stena Line Belfast Giants and the Glasgow Clan this evening at The SSE Arena, Belfast as the home as the home team fired eight past their opponents.

The Glasgow Clan had a few opportunities throughout the game, with a bit of added pressure in the third, but ultimately were unable to put anything behind Belfast Giants’ goaltender Jackson Whistle.

FIRST PERIOD

Just five minutes into the game the Belfast Giants found themselves tested as the bench took a too many men penalty, served by Ciaran Long, followed less than 20 second later by a Ben Lake slashing penalty. The Giants were able to kill the 5-on-3, allowing minimal shots against Whistle.

The momentum from the successful penalty kill would eventually pay off for the home team. Glasgow’s Stephen Dixon was called for slashing at 9:05, which ultimately lead to a beautiful pass from captain David Goodwin to Mark Cooper who sent it in the empty corner of the net from the left circle.(1-0)

The Belfast Giants continued pressure throughout the remainder of the first. Jackson Whistle wasn’t tested much in numbers, but was solid the few opportunities that Glasgow had. At the end of the first shots were 12-4 in the favour of the Giants.

SECOND PERIOD

The second period sealed the game for the Belfast Giants. The home team came out flying as the Cooper-Nuels-McLeod line charged Glasgow goaltender John Muse with shots. Matt McLeod got one across the line to mark his first-ever goal as a Belfast Giant thanks to a heavy effort from Grant Cooper. (2-0)

Less than a minute later Glasgow’s Harry Ferguson was called for interference, sending the Belfast Giants on the power play. Defenceman Gabe Bast capitalised on the man-advantage with a wrist shot past Muse. (3-0)

The Giants spared no time. A delayed Glasgow penalty, Niklas Tikkinen for hooking, gave the Giants yet another golden chance for a third goal in just over three minutes. Mark Cooper’s shot bounces off Ben Lake’s skate to make put the Giants up to a confident lead. (4-0)

The fourth goal was the last against Muse, as Glasgow pulled the goaltender and put in Canadian Ty Taylor.

Glasgow were not finished taking penalties, and the Belfast Giants answered on the power play once again. This time it was Lewis Hook who sneaks it past Taylor with help from defenseman Sam Ruopp.(5-0)

Hook wasn’t satisfied with his first goal of the night, and just two minutes later he returned to the Glasgow net to put yet another hot shelf past Taylor. (6-0)

The second period wasn’t over yet for the Belfast Giants. Grant Cooper added his name to the goal column to make it seven. (7-0)

Steve Owre got in a bit of a scrap after the buzzer, being called for a roughing. The Belfast Giants would start the third on the penalty kill.

THIRD PERIOD

The third period was short and sweet, with minimal stoppages as the Giants kept pressure to keep their massive lead.

Steve Owre put one final goal past Taylor to make it an even eight. The partial breakaway was finished with a beautiful backhand to the top corner with just over five minutes left in the third. (8-0)

The Glasgow Clan had a few more opportunities in the third compared to the first two periods but Jackson Whistle kept the door slammed shut for a shut out ending to a perfect match.

NEXT UP

The Stena Line Belfast Giants are back at home Sunday 19 February to take on the Nottingham Panthers in more Viaplay Elite Ice Hockey League action. Tickets are on sale HERE!