HIGHLIGHTS: Giants 2-1 Steelers
Watch as The Stena Line Belfast Giants won Saturday’s opening game of the weekend 2-1 against the Sheffield Steelers in overtime.
The Stena Line Belfast Giants won Saturday’s opening game of the weekend 2-1 against the Sheffield Steelers. Following two scoreless periods of play, the game sprung to life in the final 20 minutes.
With the game tied at 1-1 following 60 minutes of play, Chris Higgins grabbed the all important winner for the home side 31 seconds into overtime.
Jackson Whistle was the Giants starting netminder for this one with Michael Forney the home side’s scratch.
The hosts edged the opening period in terms of both possession and shots however Ervins Mustukovs in the Sheffield goal stood tall and kept the Giants at bay.
The second period was the turn of Jackson Whistle and the Giants defence to be called into action as the home side killed off three Steelers powerplay opportunities.
Mustukovs was again the difference early in the final period as he produced a string of impressive saves to deny the Giants in two early powerplay opportunities.
After little over 50 minutes of play without a goal, this Elite League game sprung to life with two inside 22 seconds. First Colton Fretter, assisted by John Armstrong and Mathieu Roy, netted from close range with a shot at 50:26.
Seconds later and it was all-square as Colin Shields squeezed the puck into the Steelers net, assisted by James Desmarais and Steve Saviano, at 50:48.
With no winner following 60 minutes of play, the game went into overtime. The Giants broke into the Sheffield zone with Blair Riley dishing the puck to Chris Higgins. Higgins, one-on-one with the goalie, pulled a move and netted to take the win for the hosts at 60:31.
The Giants and Steelers meet again in Belfast on Sunday, face-off 4pm at The SSE Arena, Belfast.