Glasgow Clan defeated Belfast Giants 4-1 in the Challenge Cup after building a two-goal first-period advantage and extending it through Cole Kodsi and Deven Sideroff.
Belfast’s club report said the Giants had begun brightly enough to create early chances, but Glasgow goaltender Rasmus Tirronen stopped Mike Lee before making a double save against Patrick Guay and Kaleb Pearson. Clan then converted their first sustained attacking threat into the opening goal.
The visitors had received an early powerplay after Glasgow took a bench minor penalty, but Belfast were unable to use that opportunity. Tirronen then denied Lee and made the double save from Guay and Pearson before Clan established their first-period lead, according to the Giants’ report.
Rylan Schwartz was reported to have redirected Juho Rautanen’s shot from close range at 11:47. Glasgow doubled their lead less than two minutes later, when Mick Messner followed up after Jake Kupsky had made an initial save from Keaton Pehrson.
The Giants reduced the deficit on the powerplay at 17:42. JJ Piccinich scored while Rautanen was serving an interference penalty, leaving the visitors one goal behind at the first interval. Belfast had also relied on Kupsky to deny Tristin Langan late in the period, according to the report.
Clan turn pressure into a third goal
Glasgow continued to press after the restart, with Tirronen’s opposite number Kupsky stopping another Rautanen attempt before Schwartz fired wide. The home side restored their two-goal cushion at 27:44, when Kodsi scored from in front after Josh Tarzwell’s wraparound opportunity had created the opening.
The report said Lee was unable to beat Tirronen with a shot from distance as Belfast sought a response. Both sides subsequently had powerplay opportunities after penalties involving Schwartz and Scott Conway, but neither converted. Morten Jensen fired wide in what Belfast described as the best chance during those spells.
Ross Armour and Brady Risk also attempted to force an opening around the Glasgow net, but Belfast’s report said Kupsky and the Giants’ defending stopped them. Clan consequently took their 3-1 advantage into the second interval after a period in which Belfast did not add to Piccinich’s first-period goal.
Glasgow carried their 3-1 lead into the final period, having limited Belfast’s opportunities to build momentum. That second-period scoreline was important because it meant the Giants needed at least two goals simply to draw level, while Clan had the chance to protect an established advantage.
Sideroff finishes the scoring
Sideroff made the result more secure at 45:42. The Belfast report said Messner kept the puck in play and found Sideroff, whose first attempt was saved by Kupsky before he finished the rebound effort.
Belfast were unable to use a subsequent powerplay after Sideroff was penalised for tripping; a Conway shot that was blocked was reported as their best opening during that advantage. Jake Gaudet then received a boarding penalty as the visitors continued to search for a route back into the match.
Clan did not add to their total, although Tarzwell had two late efforts saved, including one after a Steven Seigo shot had produced a rebound. Glasgow nevertheless closed out a 4-1 home victory.
The result reflected Clan’s ability to take their early chances and then add goals in each of the following periods. For Belfast, Piccinich’s powerplay strike briefly changed the complexion of the first period, but the report indicated that Tirronen made key saves before and after that goal as Glasgow kept control of the contest.
Belfast’s report said the Giants’ next scheduled fixture was an away game against Dundee Stars, with Dundee then due to travel to Belfast on Sunday 4 October.