REPORT: intu Braehead Clan 3 Belfast Giants 5

NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan take on Fife Flyers in the first competitive game of the new season on Sunday 4th September (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

intu Braehead Clan ended the weekend in defeat as Belfast Giants took the intu Cup, winning 5-3 at a packed Braehead Arena.

The visitors opened the scoring just over five minutes into the first period when David Rutherford tapped in from close range from Brandon Benedict’s initial effort.

 

Giants added a second minutes later when a Zach Sullivan penalty for hooking turned into a successful powerplay as Mike Forney’s shot from the inside left beat Michal Zajkowski.

 

Ryan Finnerty’s men tested Stephen Murphy in the Belfast goal with Cody Carlsson, Alex Leavitt and youngster Jordan Buesa all testing the GB international.

 

Daniel Åhsberg pulled one back early in the second as Clan began the fightback, but the visitors took advantage of another powerplay opportunity.

 

Forney bagged his second with a well executed shot from inside the Braehead zone to reopen the two-goal lead.

 

Then Blair Riley scored his own rebound to make it 4-1, just seconds after Åhsberg blasted a one-on-one opportunity wide of Murphy.

 

Clan began the comeback shortly after when Sullivan and Craig Peacock assisted on Matt Keith’s tap-in.

 

Then Åhsberg notched his second of the night by managing to get the better of Murphy from close range, closing the deficit to one heading into the third period.

 

Giants killed the game off early in the third period as Rutherford scooped the puck over Zajkowski, landing it inside the net.

 

Clan end their pre-season programme with a trip to Dundee Stars on Thursday, face off 7.30pm.

Click here to listen to the post match reaction from head coach Ryan Finnerty:

https://audioboom.com/boos/4983991-post-game-ryan-finnerty-clan-3-belfast-giants-5