Horrible weekend for the Steelers as we end up pointless in Belfast
A horrible weekend for the Steelers, after going down 5-1 to the Giants on Friday and ended up on the wrong side of a 7-1 scoreline 24 hours later.
Giants were in control from the start, taking a 3-0 lead after the opening period.
Evan Jasper was the Steelers only goal scorer, netting late in the middle period.
Matt Greenfield remained between the pipes with Patrick Watling returning to the line up for Saturday’s game. Jordon Southorn was the scratch. No Dowd and Shudra for the Steelers.
First Period.
If the Steelers were looking for a bounce back it didn’t happen early on in the first period with the Giants in total control, Matt Greenfield was called on several times after chances from Smith, Hanson and Conway
New signing Brett Ritchie had the Steelers first chance but his shot flew past Jackson Whistle
07.30 Giants lead 1-0 after Piccinich found Scott Conway for a one timer that flew over Matt Greenfield’s glove
Harper and Heard crashed the net with the chance falling to Juusola but Whistle covers up
Stephen Harper takes the puck out of the air and gets a quick shot away, Whistle with the save
13.48 and the Giants double their lead. The Belfast forecheck forces the turn over and an easy finish for Kawaguchi with Greenfield stranded.
Harper fed Heard who burst down the left wing and shot, Whistle with the stop
16.46 Reece Kelly takes the Steelers first penalty as he chips the puck over the glass for a delay of the game minor.
17.47 and The Giants score on the power-play as Lee takes a shot through traffic with Greenfield unsighted for a 3-0 advantage
End of the first period: Giants 3-0 Steelers
Second Period.
Steelers came out well, led by Sam Tremblay who created some momentum with his efforts and his attempt on goal
However, as Steelers looked to get back into the game the Giants ended up with a 2 on 0 at 23.33 and Ryan Smith scored to make it 4-0
Jasper, again, looked like the guy who would break through and he had another chance as he broke through the Giants lines, Whistle though had the answers.
Scott Conway rang one off the post after a feed from Goodwin
Balmas logging huge ice time gets the puck to Jasper once again, another Whistle save made.
34.14 and Huttula beaten around the outside by Eriksson, his pass falls to Smith he easily taps in for a 5-0 lead
35.34 and the Steelers on the board, it is those two again, Balmas feeding Jasper who bursts through the middle to beat Whistle for 5-1
Steelers then dominated the final 5 minutes, Balmas close himself, then sets up Ritchie
End of the second period: Giants 5-1 Steelers
Third Period
Scott Conway with the early chance, Greenfield kicks it away
Steelers pushing Ryan Tait goes close at one end with Piccinich doing the same at the other.
Juusola down the left wing for Harper but his shot kicked away
52.31 and Kawaguchi bags his second, the puck rebounding off Greenfield’s body and put away nicely
Jack Dougherty holds on to the puck nicely and finds Diffley whose shot is comfortably saved.
58.41 Steelers intercepted by Twarynski who skates in alone and puts the puck through the five hole for 7-1
Final score: Belfast Giants 7-1 Steelers
