Elite League: Belfast Giants 3-2 Braehead Clan

James Desmaris celebrates with his Giants team-mates after scoring against Braehead

Belfast Giants have moved up to third in the Elite League with this narrow win over the Clan on Saturday night.

Four of the five goals came in first period with Chris Higgins and Jonathan Boxill putting the hosts 2-0 ahead.

Former Giants player Craig Peacock pulled one back for the Scots at the SSE Arena before Scott Pitt levelled.

James Desmaris scored the decisive goal five minutes into the second period as Belfast made it three wins from three against Braehead this season.

This was the first game in the Elite League for the Giants against a team outside their conference, and it was given a bit of added spice with the returning Peacock in the Braehead line-up.

Braehead netminder Gary Russell wins this race for the puck with Belfast's Michael Forney

Peacock was ejected from the previous game between the two sides for a high sticking penalty - and had been on social media the night before this game, saying the noise at his new club's arena was louder than that of the Giants.

That had certainly irked the Giants fans, judging by Peacock's reception when he took to the ice.

Higgins opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the contest, forcing the puck in from close range, and it was 2-0 when Boxill cleverly tipped a Ryan Martinelli shot past netminder Gary Russell and into the Clan goal.

The Giants had dominated the first period but Peacock netted with a couple of minutes to go until the first break.

And Braehead were back level before the end of the period when Pitt scored from close-range past the Giants' Jackson Whistle.

Gary Russell makes the save for the Clan as Adam Keefe slips onto the ice at the SSE Arena

The Giants regained the lead five minutes into the second period, with forward Desmarais scoring on his return to the side from injury with his first goal of the season.

Belfast are back in Elite League action on Sunday night with an away game against Cardiff Devils.