Belfast Giants vs Glasgow Clan

The Premier Sports sponsored Glasgow Clan were left deflated on their journey back over the Irish Sea after a tough road loss to the Belfast Giants.

Injuries to captain, Deven Sideroff and Cade Neilson kept them out the lineup tonight as Lucas Brine was given his first start under interim head coach, Mike Sirant with Liam Souliere starting on the bench.

Glasgow got off to a strong start with Brett Neumann rifling a first time shot on net from deep and forcing a low save from Jackson Whistle as the Clan held ling-sustained offensive pressure early.

Belfast got their first big chance of the night when Alex Forbes was sent to the box for slashing, and Brandon Whistle took just seven seconds on the powerplay to break the deadlock with a slick wraparound finish to beat Brine.

David Goodwin was awarded an assist on the opening goal, granting him his 300th point in all EIHL competitions since he joined the Giants in 2019.

Mike Lee then generated a play with a quick rush up left wing before dropping a pass to the slot for Karl Boudrais who slammed a first time shot high on net which Brine had to elbow over the bar.

Whistle then made a great save on a Rylan Schwartz shot as Hugo Roy created space with a fake pass behind the Belfast net before setting the #71 up for a first time slam in close which Whistle impressively blockered clear.

After Schwartz’s near miss, the Giants broke up ice and traded quick passes from Boudrais to Carter Hamill who set up Ciaran Long at the backdoor to tap home and double the hosts’ lead.

David Goodwin made it three just 29 seconds later as Mike Lee hit a weak shot from the blue line and the Belfast custodian gave it a forceful push from the slot to steer it past Brine.

In the second period, Josh Roach’s pass to the slot was tipped up by the reach of a stick from Steven Seigo which sent it into the mask of Brine before Scott Conway swatted the rebound out the air and in for goal four.

After being cleared of a high stick via video review, Belfast charged onto a fifth through Karl Boudrais after he forced the puck into the crease and bedlam ensued with the puck somehow crawling over the line amongst the bodies.

Poolman was denied at the backdoor in the third period by an unreal save from Whistle as he darted to his left to deny the Clan defenceman with the outstretched skate blade.

Goodwin was granted a Grade A chance in the final two minutes when a blocked shot ricocheted up ice allowing him in on a breakaway but Brine covered his line and denied the Giants captain a second on the night.

Belfast closed out the game well and secured two valuable points in their race for the 2025/26 EIHL title, which they currently lead, as Glasgow were left with no points in a tough weekend with Nottingham and Dundee next on the schedule.