Giants survive Clan scare

Photo: William Cherry

League and cup champions Belfast Giants will take a two-goal lead to Glasgow for the second leg of their 2023 Viaplay Playoffs Quarter-Final, thanks to 4-2 victory over a battling Clan side at the SSE Arena in front of over 7,200 fans.

The Giants got the lead early in the game with tMark Cooper 20th goal of the season at 05:35, taking a pass from deep within the Giants' defensive zone from Matt Foley, breaking into the attacking zone and beating Ty Taylor clean to put the hosts. The Clan though they'd equalised later in the period, however, the goal was called back after review due to a distinct kicking motion.

The Giants started the second period strong as well, adding another goal to their lead just 16 seconds after the puck was dropped again. Scott Conway pulled off a nice move to create some space for himself, and passed the puck over to Steven Owre who tipped in his 30th goal of the season. The Clan, however, did not let up, and scored two powerplay goals in quick succession to equalise. John Dunbar scored the first on a 5-on-3 advantage at 32:40 as he beat Tyler Beskorowany from a tight angle. Gabriel Chabot scored the second goal for the Clan at 34:01, one timing Steven McParland's pass into the net. 

Belfast got the lead back in the third period as Gabe Bast blasted the puck into the net on the powerplay at 50:43. The home side continued the push and got another powerplay goal at 53:31, when Owre scored his second goal of the night after some nice quick passing in the offensive zone to set a final score of 4-2.