Just when it looked like the Belfast Giants’ momentum would carry them to the top of the table, Glasgow Clan threw a spanner in the works with a 5-1 win at the Braehead arena on St Stephen’s Day.
Adam Keefe’s side were on course to surge past league leaders, Cardiff Devils, before the new year. However, following the loss last weekend, they currently sit in second place, four points behind the Welsh side with two games in hand.
With three games remaining before the new year, it is still possible for the Belfast outfit to top the league standings before 2025, but the job has been made more difficult now their seven-match winning streak has come to an end.
The second half of the Giants’ double header against Glasgow will take place in Belfast on Saturday evening. The short turnaround between games will give Keefe’s side a chance to get back on track or run the risk of a potential further derailment of their table-topping aspirations.
After spending much of the first part of the season searching for consistency, the Giants will be disappointed in the manner of the defeat against the Scottish side albeit Glasgow have been in excellent form lately.
Their victory on Thursday made it seven wins from eight games for Glasgow and the third time the Clan have beaten the Giants on home ice.
Goals in each of the first two periods for Glasgow helped them on their way but the two further strikes in the third period were the final nails in the Giants’ coffin, with a late empty netter to make it five, rubbing further salt into the wounds of the visitors.
It was a much deserved win for the Scottish side who remained in control of the fixture throughout and were clinical with their chances.
In contrast, despite no shortage of effort, the Giants struggled to get a foothold in the game and their frustration was evident at their inability to put the puck into the back of the net. Josh Roach managed to get his side on the board in the third period, but his side could not battle their way back into the game and left Glasgow empty handed.
Speaking after the game Giants’ head coach Adam Keefe spoke of his disappointment at the result.
“I thought we came out well, working hard and we had plenty of good looks ourselves.” Keefe said.
“I think Glasgow probably competed harder in dirty areas and they took their scoring opportunities and we didn’t.
“We needed to do more to break them down and we didn’t do it. We had some poor execution from our guys and that was the game.”
Giant’s chance at redemption comes on Saturday evening in Belfast as Keefe’s men face Glasgow in the second half of their double header.
After the Glasgow clash, the Giants have more Scottish opposition, facing Dundee at home and away before the end of the year on Monday December 30 on home ice and New Year’s Eve on the road.
