Giants tie it late, win in shootout

Photo: Panthers Images

Belfast Giants moved to within two points of top sports in the Premier Sports Elite League thanks to a late tying goal in Nottingham in a game where the Panthers have looked comfortable through 40 minutes.

There were two stars of the opening 20 minutes at the Motorpoint arena, and both of them were wearing Panthers jerseys. Kevin Carr pulled off an incredible stick save to keep the game scoreless on a reverse pass out in front that looked to have him beaten.

In front of Jackson Whistle at the other end, Robbie Baillargeon stole the show. He shot low past the former Panthers goalie to put the hosts one up at 15:41, and then just 12 seconds later was played in form Massimo Carroza and deked Whistle to make it 2-0 with a nice finish.

The middle period was scoreless as the Panthers held tight onto their two-goal advantage against a Giants team that was struggling to get anything really going up top.

Things changed inside the final 12 minutes, however. A throw on net from Sam Ruopp was deflected home by Scott Conway for the breakthrough the Giants were looking for - a 2-1 game with 11:24 to play.

Jackson Whistle was pulled late for the extra attacker as the Giants threw everything at Carr's net. It looked like a combination of the Panthers' goalie and bodies in front would see the home side through, but with 0.4 seconds left on the clock Mark Copper bundled home a dramatic equaliser.

A Jeremy Welsh slashing minor gave the Giants a two-minute 4-on-3 advantage in overtime but they were unable to force another goal, while Jackson Whistle had to be alert after Matt Lane carved an opportunity out of almost nothing for the Panthers. 

The game was eventually decided in a shootout - the Panthers couldn't manage to find a way past Whistle with any of their five goals, which left Scott Conway's goal in Round 4 as the game-winner.