Belfast got its first Giants win of the season on Sunday at The O2. It finished 2-1 in overtime against Herlev Eagles, and that splits the pre-season set after the Danes took Friday.
Kaleb Pearson scored the opener, set up by Jake Gaudet. Joseph Jonsson levelled late in the third. JJ Piccinich won it in overtime.
The first period
Gaudet found Pearson, who put it high into the roof. 1-0. Same pair that opened Friday.
Alexander Hellnemo started in the Herlev net after watching Friday from the bench. He made a stunning double save from Ty Prefontaine and Cole Shudra.
Ciaran Long sat for cross-checking. Jake Kupsky’s first work of the night was to deny Carl Skarstrom after neat passing, then another save from Victor Cubars. Long came out of the box, went one-on-one, and Hellnemo stopped him.
Joseph Jonsson was penalised for hooking. On the Giants power play David Goodwin and JJ Piccinich tried, and Hellnemo held. 1-0 after the first.
The second
Scott Conway tipped Jaeden Martin just over, then Martin hit Hellnemo’s mask. Morten Jensen and Conway had chances of their own.
Shudra sat for high-sticking and Herlev threw a barrage at Kupsky. He denied Mathias Ingemann-Larsen and Cubars again. Then Herlev had a two-man advantage for almost 90 seconds. The Giants penalty kill held.
Captain Matthias Asperup rattled the post. Kupsky saved from Noah Samsoe and Oskar Just. Scoreless second. 1-0 into the third.
The third
Quieter. Piccinich and Kell Beattie forced saves. Christian Berger went over the top. Jonsson tied it late, 1-1.
The Giants pushed in regulation — Prefontaine, Mason Klee, Mike Lee — and Hellnemo stood. Overtime again.
Overtime
Piccinich broke away at pace and finished under pressure. 2-1. Friday Herlev had stolen overtime; tonight it was the Giants.
There was a shootout as well, same as Friday. Skarstrom was the only scorer for either side. The result of the game is the 2-1 overtime win.
What’s next
The Giants travel to Germany for the Warrior Cup. First game is HC Ambri-Piotta, noon Saturday 5 September.
Next home is Dundee Stars in the Challenge Cup, 19 September, 7pm. Tickets: belfastgiants.com/tickets.
Friday went to Herlev. Sunday went to Belfast. Two overtime games, a split set, and the first Giants win of the year in the book. Germany next.
Read more: Belfast Giants news, fixtures and results · Belfast Giants: Season Guide — Fixtures, Tickets and Match Nights
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