Grant Mismash and JJ Piccinich scored but Jackson Whistle is the hero with four outstanding saves as Giants win shootout 2-0 for a huge second point.

Great game, really well played by both sides.

The shootout win however extends the Giants lead at the top of the Elite League to five points over Cardiff heading into the big table topper in the Welsh capital.

The Devils have a pair of games in hand.

Should be a cracking game.

Pretty even 5 minutes - both sides had chances - neither scored so it’s on to a shootout

The Giants threw the kitchen sink in the last few minutes and JJ Piccinich will wonder how the puck hit the frame of the goal and bounced along the line and out.

Someone is walking away with the extra point….

Retaliatory penalty take by Bo Hanson and the Blaze make the Giants pay with Terrence Amorosa threading the needle from the blueline

Game on…14 minutes to go

Image source, Press Eye

The Giants head to Cardiff tomorrow and if this score remains the same they’ll do so with a five point lead albeit having played two games more, but still it would be a nice wee cushion.

Coventry could close the gap to fourth place Nottingham to just three points if they can come from behind

Good second period.

Giants lead but it’s not a comfortable one. Blaze have offered plenty to suggest this one os far from over

Grant Mismash hammers the puck past Mat Robson from the left circle to give the Giants the lead.

Image source, Press Eye

It was a second call on the Blaze that gave the Giants back-to-back powerplays and Scott Conway’s one timer ties the game as he converts David Goodwin’s pass.

Image source, Press Eye

This time the visitors do capitalise although he was a lucky break as the puck goes in of a Giants player.

Chase Gresock gets credit for the goal.

Immediately however the Giants get a powerplay chance

Image source, Press Eye

Even quicker than the first period - Blaze on the powerplay as Gabe Bast sits for checking to the head

Which of these two sides will be the first to break the deadlock?

Second period is underway

Image source, Press Eye

7 minor penalties called, all in the first half of the period but neither side able to take advantage.

Giants with more pressure but Blaze will be happy they haven’t conceded at the end of a scoreless first period

Image source, Press Eye

For all the penalties called the officials may have missed a high hit on a Giants player.

Coach Adam Keefe barking at the refs so loudly that I can hear him and I’m at least 300 feet away.

Giants have hit a couple of posts and have come close on a number of occasions but no goals yet.

After Ben Lake, a pair of back-to-back calls on the Blaze and now another on the Giants.

Half the period gone and no more than a minute of even strength play.

Hard to argue that the calls aren’t valid.

And now another on the Blaze. Unbelievable.

Giants 4-on-3 PP, but for how long??

After the Coventry penalty, Giants David Goodwin was called and we played some four-on-four hockey and as he stepped on the ice Ben Lake called for tripping and so the Giants are short-handed

Battle in front of the net goes the Giants way and after 28 seconds they have a powerplay with Mike Kennedy given the cross-checking penalty

Giants Jackson Whistle and Mat Robson from the Blaze are tonight’s starting netminders.

We are off and running….

Belfast Giants have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Elite League as they face Coventry Blaze here at the SSE Arena.

With Cardiff not playing, the Giants could end the night five points clear of the Devils ahead of a visit to Cardiff on Sunday.

Coventry are four points off the top four, having moved back into fifth last weekend.

Image source, BBC Sport