Belfast Giants vs Glasgow Clan

The Premier Sports Glasgow Clan were bettered by a strong 60-minute showing from the Challenge Cup group B leaders, the Belfast Giants at the SSE Arena.

Jake Gaudet got the hosts off to an offensive start as he forced an instant response from Clan goaltender Sami Aittokallio in the opening seconds with a sharp shot up high.

David Goodwin was allowed an open chance after a turnover in the Clan zone and his shot leaked through the equipment of Aittokallio but bounced off the post and stayed out.

Gaudet was then once again pestering the Clan defence as Jordan Kawaguchi played a perfect pass to the #63 at the backdoor but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Clan escaped the opening period without conceding thanks to a strong defensive showing but momentum was building for the hosts.

In the second period, the Clan managed to flip the momentum as they held the Giants in their own zone for the majority of the first half of the middle frame.

Jackson Whistle came to Belfast’s rescue on a number of occasions early in the second as he cut out a close range shot from Brayden Burke before making a triple save on the penalty kill.

The Giants eventually broke the deadlock through JJ Piccinich as the number 12 hung on the puck in the slot before firing a shot through the five hole of Aittokallio.

Less than 60 seconds later, Ryan Smith doubled Belfast’s lead with a first-time slam from the left circle that sailed perfectly into the top corner.

Darien Kielb continued to create offensive pressure for Glasgow with a smart fake to create an open shot on net but he couldn’t score as the Giants took a two-goal lead into the final period.

Richard Jarusek came close to putting the Clan on the boards in the third period with a shot quick off the faceoff to the left of Whistle’s net but it was kicked clear by the netminder.

Rylan Schwartz swept a rebound on net from just outside the crease only to be denied by some defensive heroics from Bo Hanson as he got his skate in the way of the shot.

Ryan Smith then went on to grab his second of the game with a first timer from his own zone that strolled into an empty net as Belfast took a huge step towards securing top spot in the Challenge Cup group B standings.