McCollum Shutout Guides Giants to Challenge Cup Win Over Clan

First Period

The Giants came out of the gate strongest in the opening stages of the first period and would have no doubt opened the scoring if not for the steadfast goaltending of Lucas Brine in the Clan net, with Kyle Osterberg, Elijiah Barriga, Jeff Baum, and Gabe Bast all seeing good goal scoring opportunities denied.

The home side continued to barrage Brine’s net, but Clan’s #44 stood firm, turning away shots from Pierre-Olivier Morin, Ciaran Long, and J.J. Piccnich.

After Mark Cooper was given two minutes for interference, Glasgow had the first opportunity on the powerplay, but like his counterpart at the other end of the ice, Tom McCollum made sure that the score remained level.

Soon after, Clan’s Mitchel Heard found himself in the penalty box for tripping, giving the Giants their first chance with a man advantage. The Giants couldn’t make the numbers game work with a stellar defensive effort seeing both sides go into the break goalless (0-0).

Second Period

Despite Clan needing to see out the remainder of Heard’s tripping penalty, Glasgow started the second period the stronger of the two teams, with Tom McCollum being called into action early to deny Liam Finlay.

After both sides came close to breaking the stalemate, Grant Mismash saw a goal-bound effort tipped over the bar. Soon after, Mismash had another opportunity thwarted, as Deven Sideroff’s last-ditch defensive effort denied the Giants’ #88 on the breakaway.

The Giants kept knocking on the door, with Jordan Kawaguchi and Pierre-Olivier Morin seeing shots ricochet off the woodwork. With just a few minutes remaining in the period, their persistence was rewarded on the powerplay, as Morin netted his fifth goal of the season after Mishmash’s shot rebounded off Brine’s pad (1-0).

Third Period

Determined to get back to all square, the Clan started the final period on top, with Deven Sideroff seeing his on-target effort come crashing back off the post.

Poor discipline almost proved costly for the Giants, as Morin (tripping), Mismash (cross-checking), and Barriga (tripping) all sat midway through the period. Despite a host of chances for Glasgow, McCollum stood firm and continued his fine performance.

With two minutes remaining, Glasgow opted for an additional skater, but much to their frustration, it was the Giants that capitalised, as J.J. Piccinich’s empty-netter all but wrapped the game for the home side (2-0).

Having opened the scoring, it was Morin who had the final say, as his one-timer rounded out a hard-fought victory for the Giants (3-0).

Next Up

The Stena Line Belfast Giants return to Challenge Cup action at The SSE Arena this weekend, taking on the Fife Flyers on Saturday 2 November and the Dundee Stars on Sunday 3 November. Tickets are on sale and available to purchase here.