Belfast Giants extended their lead at the top of the Elite League to eight points with a 3-1 home win over second-placed Sheffield Steelers on Friday night.
The victory keeps the Giants unbeaten in regulation at the SSE Arena this season in EIHL competition.
The only goal of the opening period came at 15:16 when J.J. Piccinich put the Giants ahead.
Belfast doubled their lead late in the second period. With a delayed penalty coming against Sheffield, the Steelers appeared to stop playing while the Giants continued, allowing Brandon Whistle to set up Gabe Bast to pick his spot past Matt Greenfield at 38:17.
Nicholas Guay nearly put the game beyond reach inside the first 90 seconds of the third period, but Greenfield came out on top after Guay’s neat toe-drag and shot.
Stephen Harper did get the visitors back into the game on the power play 7:45 into the third period.
The Steelers then had a huge chance to level when Ryan Tait sent Dominic Cormier through on a breakaway, but Jake Kupsky produced an excellent save to deny the defenceman. Moments later, Greenfield’s glove stopped Scott Conway on an odd-man rush at the other end.
With Greenfield pulled for the extra attacker with 67 seconds remaining, Ben Lake made a crucial block to deny Mitchell Balmas, while Bast cleared a loose puck from the top of the crease to keep Sheffield out. Bast then set David Goodwin free to score into the empty net with 1.7 seconds left to seal the win.
Photo: William Cherry
