Giants go down to SSE Arena defeat by Glasgow

The Giants have dropped their goalie for the last 90 seconds. Can they find that elusive goal?

They haven't been able to do it for the first 55 but can the hosts dig out a goal in the remaining five?

It has been a scrappy third period with next to no clear-cut chances which is exactly how the Glasgow Clan will want it.

The Clan are ramping up the physicality as the assault on their net continues.

Quinn Preston and Kohei Sato have both been hit hard as the Glasgow goal continues to lead a charmed life.

Here we go. The Giants have created numerous quality chances but haven't been able to get the puck over the line.

They have 20 minutes left to do it.

The Clan may as well have their tents out as they have been camped in their own blue zone for the vast majority of that period.

However, to their credit, they have kept the Giants at bay. This in large part to nettie Jake Kielly, who is having an outstanding night.

The hosts are out-shooting their visitors 29-11 but, in the only stat that matters, they still trail.

Can they get the puck in the net in the final period?

Not quite sure how the Giants haven't scored yet. A combination of Matt McLeod and Quinn Preston slung the puck goal bound but by hook or by crook the Clan keep it out.

They can only soak up this pressure for so long... right?

The Giants are battering at the door but haven't been able to break it down yet.

Greg Printz was set up by a lovely reverse pass from captain Mark Cooper but couldn't get a powerful enough shot away.

At the other end, Reid Petryk drew a sharp intake of breath from the home fans but Whistle was alert to his effort.

Parts of the arena were on their feet as it looked as though Kohei Sato's effort was in but it was clawed back by Jake Kielly, who is is having an excellent night.

Greg Printz wound up for a wrister but his stick exploded and its remnants are still on the ice.

Period two is underway at a packed SSE. Can the Giants get on the scoresheet and turn this one around?

The hosts are behind after the opening 20 minutes. Cody Sol's goal midway through proceedings is the difference. It is just the defence man's second of the season but the Giants have not been able to respond yet.

They have had chances, most notably from Tedesco, Sato and Lake but haven't been able to breach Jake Kielly's net.

After the Clan's Gary Haden is binned for hooking, the Giants come close through Ben Lake, who is thwarted at point-blank range by Kielly.

They still can't make the breakthrough, though.

Just as I said it was heating up, the visitors take the lead. Cody Sol with the finish. Nine remaining in the first.

Jackson Whistle has been called into action for the first time tonight and he was up to the challenge on two occasions.

First, an excellent one-on-one save from Robert Lachowicz followed by gloving a Jordan Cownie effort.

At the other end, Matt McLeod almost squeezed the puck under Jake Kielly, who also made a fine save from Kohei Sato.

The Giants are in their festive jerseys tonight but, so far, haven't given a packed SSE Arena any late Christmas presents.

Mark Cooper flashes a shot over and Daniel Tedesco just steers one wide but still scoreless.

Jackson Whistle has been relatively untroubled at the other end.

The puck is dropped and we are underway at the SSE Arena.

Both goalies are wearing number one tonight as Jake Kielly minds the Glasgow net while his opposite number Jackson Whistle is between the pipes for the Giants.

Good evening from the SSE Arena as we gear up for some festive hockey. The Giants welcome the Glasgow Clan to Belfast this evening for part two of a post-Christmas double-header, having triumphed 5-2 at the Braehead Arena on Boxing Day.

Adam Keefe’s men have won three in a row since their harrowing Challenge Cup defeat here against Coventry on 20 December which extends their winning run in the league to five. That is enough to propel them into third place in the Elite League standings.

Tonight’s visitors, in comparison, are on a miserable run as of late. Jason Morgan’s Clan have lost six in a row which has seen them plummet from third to eighth since their last victory on 10 December.

With Tyler Beskorowany representing Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, Jackson Whistle gets the start in goal tonight.

Puck drop is at 19:00 so stick with us for all of the action.