Giants maintain unbeaten cup start

Photo: Al Goold

Belfast Giants made it three wins from as many games to start their 2023/24 Elite League Challenge Cup campaign thanks to a 4-2 win over Glasgow Clan on Friday evening.

A crowd of 2,816 saw the visitors score two goals in the opening period. Mark Cooper opened the scoring at 5:38 with a one-timer off a Miles Gendron pass on the powerplay. Under three minutes later, while killing a minor on Jacob Friend, Travis Brown scored shorthanded when no one picked him up in the slot.

4:30 into period two, Ben Lake made it 3-0 to give the visitors a solid cushion. 

However, Clan sprang into life inside the final ten minutes of the middle period. Mike Pelech redirected Gary Haden's shot past Tyler Beskorowany on the powerplay at 33:40, while Ryan Harrison converted a fortunate bounce off the back-boards to make it a one-goal game with 38:07 played.

Clan were unable to tie things up and were punished with 9:08 to play as Cooper ended the night's scoring with an excellent wrist shot past Jake Kielly. Jason Morgan called a time-out with 2:04 to play and pulled his goalie for the extra attacker, but to no avail.