Cockerill strikes early as Kupsky shuts out Clan in Belfast Giants victory

By Love Belfast

October 23, 2026

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Belfast Giants v Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena — Picture: Ryan Fleming/Glasgow Clan

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Glasgow Clan 0–1 Belfast Giants | Friday 23 October 2026

Logan Cockerill supplied the early breakthrough and Jake Kupsky ensured it was enough as the Belfast Giants secured a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena.

A goal just 89 seconds into the Motorpoint Elite League encounter proved decisive, with Kupsky producing a series of crucial saves to record his second shutout of the season.

It was a night when both netminders made life difficult for the forwards. Glasgow’s Rasmus Tirronen kept the hosts within reach throughout, but the Giants held their slender advantage through a tense finish.

Cockerill gives Belfast the perfect start

The decisive moment arrived at 01:29. Kaleb Pearson picked out Cockerill with a long pass that sent the forward clear, and he finished to put Belfast ahead before the contest had properly settled.

The Giants threatened to build on that start. Mike Lee tested Tirronen, while Christian Berger, Patrick Guay and David Goodwin also found the Glasgow goaltender in their way.

At the other end, Kupsky denied Mick Messner, although Belfast needed help from the post when Brady Risk beat the netminder but could not find the net.

Glasgow grew into the period, with Kupsky gathering Julius Reini’s screened effort before turning away David Madsen to preserve Belfast’s lead at the first break.

Belfast Giants players celebrate a goal against Glasgow Clan — Picture: Ryan Fleming/Glasgow Clan

Kupsky delivers as second goal is ruled out

Belfast continued to create chances in the middle period. Lee drew another stop from Tirronen, and a tripping penalty against Ross Armour gave the visitors an opportunity on the power play.

Conway and Ciaran Long both threatened, but Glasgow survived the penalty without further damage.

Kupsky then made one of the evening’s most important interventions, denying Cade Neilson on a breakaway before stopping Messner from close range.

The Giants briefly thought they had breathing space when Conway put the puck home following a Deven Sideroff giveaway. The effort was disallowed for goaltender interference, leaving the margin at a single goal.

Cole Kodsi and Alex Forbes were subsequently denied by Kupsky, while JJ Piccinich’s late effort struck Tirronen’s shoulder as another period ended without a change to the score.

Belfast withstand Glasgow’s final push

The hosts pressed again in the third, with Messner sending the puck across the face of goal and Madsen unable to get the better of Kupsky.

A hooking penalty against Belfast gave Glasgow a power-play opportunity, but efforts from Sideroff and Messner failed to produce an equaliser.

Risk hit the ironwork for a second time as the pressure increased. Pearson had a chance to ease Belfast’s nerves at the other end, only for Tirronen to keep Glasgow’s hopes alive.

With the clock running down, Clan removed their goaltender for an extra attacker. Steven Seigo and Sideroff sent shots towards goal, but Kupsky remained unbeaten to complete a valuable shutout and seal victory for Adam Keefe’s side.

Cockerill’s early finish settled the scoreline; Kupsky’s work across the rest of the evening made it count.