Goals from Golod (2) Watling, Huttula and Juusola – Steelers Take the Points
What a night in Belfast for the Steelers after they came back from 2-0 down to win 5-3
Maxim Golod hit 2 with a power-play strike from Patrick Watling and further goals from Huttula and Juusola
With the Cardiff Devils going down at home to Dundee, it was a great night for the Steelers
No Brandon Whistle for the Steelers tonight (injured Vs Manchester)
First Period …
Ben Lake had the first chance of the game with Matt Greenfield making the save
Moments later though the Steelers let Michael Lee walk in from the point and shoot past Greenfield for the opening goal of the night after just 00.39 seconds.
Steelers responded well with chances to Mark Simpson and Daniel Ciampini shortly following
Robert Dowd drove in from the right wing with McCollum saving well
Patrick Watling had perhaps the best chance when taking a shot into what look an half empty goal, somehow McCollum got across to make the stop
08.49 and Belfast to the box when McCollum fired the puck over the glass
Steelers power-play continued their struggle, Watlings fake shot to Juusola looking for the tip perhaps our best chance. Giants killed.
Mark Simpson had two excellent chances in the same shift, firing wide on the first attempt and McCollum with the save the second time around.
Carpenter skated into Matt Greenfield at 16.46 and headed to the box
Steelers Power-play struggled with their entry and no clear cut chances followed. Giants killed again
Giants lead 1-0 after 20 minutes but the Steelers are in this one.
Second Period.
Steelers conceded early again at the start of the middle session, it was 39 seconds in the first period and 39 seconds in the second as well as the Giants doubled their advantage
20.39 Mismash with the goal
Roach with a bullet as the Giants tried to get a tip on it, they didn’t and it sailed past Greenfield
Steelers started to turn the screw with chances for Tansey and Simpson
26.18 and Simpson called for tripping (Conway), the Giants first PP
Steelers killed and killed well Piccinich went closest with an excellent one timer that Greenfield got across to.
We went close again, Cormier with the shot, McCollum saved and the puck bounced just out of reach
30.39 a great interception from Golod as he skated away from the Giants D and pulled a lovely move on McCollum to get the Steelers on the board (2-1)
Mishmash and Golod clash with both players to the box but the Steelers with their 3rd power-play, this time Patrick Watling got his reward beating McCollum to tie the game 2-2 at 31.29
Saucerman with a great shot that McCollum blocker saves
36.37 Power-Play Belfast, Huttula for a big hit on Cooper
Giants with chances but the Steelers dug deep and killed
End of the second period Belfast Giants 2-2 Steelers
Third Period …
Steelers ahead early as Huttula fires through McCollum to take a 3-2 lead at 44.50
46.29 and Maxim Golod fires one into the roof of the net on a one timer for 4-2
Belfast replace McCollum with Brandon Whistle
48.11 a lovely Finnish from Roach from a tight angle makes it 3-4 and all to play for.
Steelers with more chances, 2 on 1 and Leavens and Ciampini make a nice play but can’t convert
Another 2 on 1, this time Balmas feeds Jussola and he goes close.
Shudra with a blast that Whistle saves
Huttula with two big chances, Whistle standing on his head, it remains 3-4
Saucerman with a great defensive block to stop the puck (and the player) getting to Greenfield’s goal
Daniel Ciampini puts his body on the line, what a block, that hurt
Balmas to Vallerand and Whistle denies on another 2 on 1
Juusola sets up Simpson, Whistle again denies.
Whistle to the bench and with 15 seconds remaining Mikko Juusola down the left wing and finds the empty net for 3-5
Final score: Belfast Giants 3-5 Steelers
Next Home Game: Saturday Vs Guildford at the Arena
