Giants edge out Panthers on Friday night

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants recorded their second, home one-goal win over Nottingham Panthers with a 2-1 victory on Friday night. 

6,826 fans saw part one of the weekend's double header as the Giants moved into equal second place in the league.

Myles McGurty put the Panthers ahead with under two minutes gone, but things were all square after the opening 20 minutes thanks to Ara Nazarian's tying goal at 13:51.

Belfast would lead through 40 minutes with a go-ahead goal in the middle period as Ciaran Long sent Will Cullen down the wing, with the defenseman cutting inside and firing on Mike Robinson. The initial shot was saved, but Cullen followed up in a crowd of players to force the puck over the line. 

In the final period, Nottingham pulled Robinson with 72 seconds left in the search for a tying goal. However, a late Unsportsmanlike Conduct call on Westin Michaud all-but ended their chances of drawing level. 

The teams meet again in Belfast on Saturday night.