WATCH: Highlights as Belfast Giants leave it late to take 6-4 win over Nottingham

The Stena Line Belfast Giants defeated the Nottingham Panthers in dramatic fashion as Sebastien Sylvestre scored the winning goal 22 seconds from the end as the hosts won 6-4. Saturday’s win followed Friday’s 5-2 victory over the Panthers.

Jackson Whistle backstopped the Giants to a second win of the weekend which pulls the Belfast side to within three points of the Cardiff Devils who have played two games less.

Giants Dominate First Period

The Giants got off the the perfect start as John Kurtz tipped home Steve Saviano’s shot after only 14 seconds.

Spiro Goulakos doubled the hosts lead at 10:05 with a ferocious powerplay strike, assisted by Brendan Connolly and Jonathan Ferland.

Eric Lindhagen pulled a goal back for the Panthers at 18:15, assisted by Yann Sauve and Ollie Betteridge.

However Brendan Connolly took full advantage of a Panthers defensive mistake and fed the puck to Sebastien Sylvestre who slammed into the empty net at 18:50.

Panthers Battle Back In Middle Period

Steve Lee scored early in the second period to make it a one-goal game yet again,

assisted by Yann Sauve at 21:48. Mark Derlago equalised for Nottingham at 24:18, assisted by Evan Mosey and Tim Billingsley.

However Blair Riley regained the lead for Belfast with a fine powerplay effort at 27:56, assisted by Sebastien Sylvestre and David Rutherford.

Jeff Brown equalised for the Panthers at 37:19, assisted by Alexander Mokshantsev and Tim Billingsley, to end the forty minutes of action at 4-4.

Giants Down Panthers Late On

The Giants grabbed the game winning goal in dramatic fashion as Sebastien Sylvestre put away Brendan Connolly’s rebound with 22 seconds remaining on the clock.

John Kurtz guaranteed the win with an empty net finish at 59:44, assisted by Jonathan Ferland