Belfast Giants Warrior Cup
The Belfast Giants have progressed to the 2026 Warrior Cup final after an impressive 6-3 victory over HC Ambrí-Piotta at the Energie Schwaben Arena. Goals from Scott Conway, J.J. Piccinich, Mike Lee, Jake Gaudet, and a double from Kaleb Pearson secured Adam Keefe’s side a spot in Sunday’s championship game, where they will face either ESV Kaufbeuren or EHC Red Bull München.
First Period
It didn’t take long for the Giants to gain a foothold in game one of the 2026 Warrior Cup, after Kaleb Pearson gave Adam Keefe’s side the lead after just 90 seconds, finishing off a pinpoint pass from Peter Bates.
After a period of high-energy end-to-end action, it was the Giants’ shot stopper who was called upon, with Jake Kupsky making some remarkable saves to ensure his side maintained their early advantage following a barrage of HC Ambrí-Piotta offence.
Despite the relentless pressure from their opponents, it was the Giants that doubled their tally against the run of play after Scott Conway coolly slotted a low shot past the HC Ambrí-Piotta netminder to finish off a well-executed breakaway.
Not to be denied for much longer, HC Ambrí-Piotta eventually secured their goal, with Roby Järventie rifling a shot past a sprawling Jake Kupsky to make it a one-goal game with just shy of three minutes remaining in the opening period.
Second Period
Almost as if déjá vu, the second period began similarly to the first, as Kaleb Pearson netted his second and the Giants’ third of the game within the opening few minutes.
Not long after, the ever-reliable J.J. Piccinich got in on the action, extending his team’s lead to three as the Giants began to pull away just five minutes into the second period.
Defiantly, HC Ambrí-Piotta pressed the Giants hard on the power play after Ciaran Long sat for two minutes, with Tommaso De Luca coming closest to beating Jake Kupsky. The aforementioned Kupsky continued to impress, standing firm between the pipes with some pivotal saves to deny the Swiss side.
Third Period
After an early attempt on goal from HC Ambrí-Piotta, it was the Giants that opened the scoring once again, with Mike Lee’s effort finding the back of the net after just three minutes.
HC Ambrí-Piotta responded in kind soon after, with Roby Järventie bagging his and his side’s second of the afternoon.
It wasn’t long until HC Ambrí-Piotta had their third, with Dario Wüthrich delivered a composed short-handed goal.
The goals kept coming as Jake Gaudet finished from close range to reestablish a three-goal lead for the Giants with little more than five minutes remaining.
Up Next
The Giants will face ESV Kaufbeuren or EHC Red Bull München in Sunday’s championship game, which gets underway at 7pm (GMT). Tickets for the Giants return to The O2 Belfast on Saturday 19 September are on sale now and available to purchase here.
Read more: Belfast Giants Warrior Cup Final Ends 5-1 to Red Bull München · Belfast Giants: Season Guide — Fixtures, Tickets and Match Nights
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