The game was all over after the first period so Giants coach Adam Keefe will be happy after a couple of games recently when his side have fallen behind.

However there are plenty of positives from the final forty minutes for the Panthers to take into Saturday's rematch. They outscored the Giants 1-0 over that stretch remember and they will be up for the challenge.

The win moves the Giants above Cardiff and into third place in the Elite League.

Here's the opening goal from tonight's game - his first ever in the Elite League for Sean Norris

Thanks for following along tonight and we'll be back from 6.45pm on Saturday night for the Giants v Panthers II. Expect Saturday's rematch to be closer.

Bye for now

A late goal for the Nottingham Panthers with a couple of minutes to go.

Jordan Kelsall getting credit for nudging the puck over the line after Jackson Whistle had failed to hold on to a shot from Adam Brady.

10 minutes to go and no further scoring. The Panthers failed to capitalise on a powerplay with Jeremy Welsh denied by a big glove save from Jackson Whistle. They're about to have another chance with the man advantage.

Image source, Press Eye

Almost 6,000 enjoying this Elite League clash in Belfast and hopefully the large contingent of travelling fans from Nottingham are enjoying their trip to Northern Ireland (despite the scoreline!)

Image source, Press Eye

Plenty for the Giants fans to be happy about with 20 minutes remaining but with the second game between the sides to come tomorrow night the Panthers will want to finish this one strongly.

Image source, BBC Sport

The physicality picked up in the closing stages on the second period with one or two heavy checks dispensed by both sides but no goals see the Giants remain in control with twenty minutes remaining.

Image source, Press Eye

Much more competitive second period with the Panthers Alex Dubeau rebounding well from the first period with some really good stops.

Image source, Press Eye

Quieter second period, at least in terms of goals, so far. Both goalies making the saves they need to.

Netminder Alex Dubeau is back on the ice for Nottingham at the beginning of the second period replacing Matthew Bloor.

Image source, Press Eye

Big period for the Nottingham Panthers coming up. With their back-up netminder already in the game can they mount any sort of comeback or will the Giants add to the scoreline?

Image source, BBC Sport

Time for a cup of tea and a quick lie down after a frantic first period. Giants have been clinical, Panthers with damage control to do.

Image source, Press Eye

That's it for the Panthers netminder as Dubeau is replaced by Matthew Bloor who immediately makes an incredible save from David Gilbert.

It's reviewed to see if the puck has crossed the line but it's not a goal.

Sam Ruopp unleashes a big one-timer from the middle of the ice that flashes past Dubeau's glove to make it 5-1.

The goals just keep on flowing here in Belfast. This time Lake finds Lewis Hook and his shot goes between the pads of Dubeau - still six minutes left in the first period!

The Panthers strike back immediately after Lake's goal when Fabrizio Ricci tips the puck past Jackson Whistle much to the delight of the travelling Nottingham support.

Giants make it 3-0 as Scott Conway's cross-ice pass find Ben Lake who beats Dubeau.

Not even seven minutes gone and the Giants score again as Gabe Bast floats a little back hand shot that may have taken a deflection and it deceives Dubeau.

Special moment for Sean Norris as he scores his first ever Elite League goal tipping in a shot from David Gilbert to give the Giants the lead. Congratulations if you had Sean in the sweepstake to score the first goal!

Image source, Press Eye

The puck is dropped and we are underway in the first period...