This was a real grind. Not a game that will live long in the memory for its entertainment value.

That being said the Giants current good trends continued with their penalty killing and the goaltending of Tom McCollum the difference in this game.

And the first goal was a powerplay marker as well.

The Clan didn’t do enough offensively to win this one and they need more output from their powerplay. Defensively they were tough and Lucas Brine was great between the pipes.

The Giants move a step closer to winning Challenge Cup Group B and a semi-final place which they can clinch this weekend with a pair of wins over Fife and Dundee.

Mitchell Heard gets a 5+Game for slashing for the Clan and the final seconds are played out

PO Morin with the one-timer from the slot makes it 3-0 Giants. His second of the game.

JJ Piccinich with the empty netter goal that should give the Giants an important win.

Still 1:16 to play

No alarms for the Giants as they kill off another Clan powerplay and JJ Piccinich almost snatches a second goal but is denied by Lucas Brine.

3:40 left in the game

The Giants are making this hard on themselves.

Another penalty, Elijah Barriga for tripping, and another penalty to kill.

Giants coach Adam Keefe won’t be happy.

Another big kill by the Giants.

Now they’ll want better discipline and some time in the Clan zone.

8:13 left in the game

Grant Mismash with the cross-check and the Giants are back on the penalty kill.

Giants penalty killers do their job and the home side gain a little momentum with a couple of good shifts in front of Lucas Brine.

12 minutes remaining

Goalscorer PO Morin sits for two minutes because of a trip.

The Clan, who have been much more aggressive in the offensive zone in the third period, now have a big opportunity to tie the game up.

14:40 to go

The Clan have been committed to great defence tonight and you can’t fault that but they’re going to have to show a little offence now.

If they can comeback and win this game thy would move above the Giants and go to the top of Challenge Cup Group B.

That late goal from PO Morin will force the Clan to come out and play in the final period.

Should be a good finish….

Image source, Press Eye

Yes they can is the answer!

One-timer from Grant Mismash pulses out a great pad save from Lucas Brine but PO Morin scores with the rebound.

Image source, Press Eye

91 seconds left in the period and the Giants have their third powerplay. Hooking call on Tyson McLellan.

Can they make this count?

Almost for Pierre-Olivier Morin as he watches his effort from the slot clang off the post.

Penalty killed by the Clan.

Not sure that was a clear cut tripping call but Darien Kielb sits for two minutes and the Giants have a chance to break the deadlock.

It’s a game that needs a goal.

It’s tough hockey and both netminders are making saves but from shots that they should save.

8:52 remaining in the second period

Clan kill the 50 seconds of powerplay time the Giants had and then Liam Finlay has their best chance of the game as he shows his speed to get clear of the Giants defence only to be denied by Tom McCollum.

At the other end a Grant Mismash one-timer is turned aside by Lucas Brine.

Off we go for the second period hoping for a few goals…

Image source, Press Eye

The Giants will carry 50 seconds of powerplay time into the second period.

After dominating the opening of the game, the Clan powerplay slowed up the Giants and the last few minutes were a bit scrappy.

No score at the end of twenty minutes.

Image source, Press Eye