You wouldn't have predicted the scoreline after the first period which was tight and were the Giants never went up through the gears.

But when they do they look every bit the best team in the Elite League and they did just that with a six goal outburst in the second period.

Matt McLeod gets the Giants man of the match and with a goal and all round good performance he looks like a signing that will help the Giants down the stretch.

Guildford and Sheffield win so it's as you were at the top of the Elite League.

That's it for now - but we'll be back from 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon for the Giants and Panthers.

Thanks for being with us...

Image source, Press Eye

Steve Owre leaves the Clan defence in his wake as he skates in alone and provides a classy finish on the backhand.

6:49 to go - no further goals, plenty of chances, supporters enjoying themselves with the Mexican Wave making a return to the SSE Arena

Final period underway. Clan playing for pride, Giants will want to get through the period healthy with Nottingham coming into town tomorrow

Guildford ahead of Cardiff 3-1 and Sheffield still 1-0 up on Fife at the end of two periods

Image source, Press Eye

An unbelievable period from the Belfast Giants as they score six times to put this game to bed. Clan just outplayed as the home side raised the tempo and scored at will.

Not a minute going by at the moment without the Giants scoring. This time it Donovan Neuls who sets up Grant Cooper to score.

The Giants are scoring for fun - Mark Cooper again driving the net and picking out Lewis Hook who roofs the puck

Giants piling it on the Clan in this second period. On the powerplay again Sam Ruopp finds an open Lewis Hook who squeezes the puck into the net.

Second assist to......netminder Jackson Whistle

It's raining goals for the Giants at the moment. Mark Cooper skates in on goal, gets hooked, and just as the referee is about to call the penalty the puck goes into the net off the skate of Ben Lake. Not a kicking motion so goal stands. Giants in control...

Giants have found their mojo in the second period. On the powerplay Gabe Bast's little wrist shot from the blueline evades Clan goalie John Muse.

Image source, Press Eye

Matt McLeod finishes a terrific shift by converting a pass from Grant Cooper with Donovan Neuls grabbing the other assist. Three players who weren't with the Giants at the start of the season.

Image source, Press Eye

After first period....

Guildford leading at Cardiff 1-0 and Sheffield beating Fife 1-0

Giants will want to be better in the second period while Clan, fighting for a play-off spot, looked good in the opening twenty minutes - tight game....

Image source, Nigel Ringland

Giants lead 1-0 after the first period taking advantage of their only powerplay. And that's the difference in the game. The Clan couldn't score in that long two-man advantage.

Other than that the Giants haven't fully found their stride yet and the Clan have had other opportunities.

Matt McLeod with a solid first twenty minutes as a Giant.

Giants captain David Goodwin says enough of this indifferent start to the game. He holds the puck skating with his head up and finds Mark Cooper with the cross ice pass and he buries the one-timer.

Image source, Press Eye

It was 1:38 of a two-man advantage for the Clan but the Giants kill the penalties and now look to establish some pressure.

Giants take two early penalties including a too many men on the ice and Clan have a long two man advantage

Another big crowd in Belfast tonight - the East Tier seats has been put in for this weekend due to demand.

The top four in the Elite League title chase all in action.

Strap yourself in and off we go......

Wearing #70 Matt McLeod makes his Giants debut tonight....

Image source, Belfast Giants

It's that close at the top. The Giants hold the league but have played more games than their title rivals.

Tonight Cardiff hosts Guildford while Sheffield face Fife just three days after the Scottish side beat them in a shootout to reach the Challenge Cup Final.

How will the league table look at the end of tonight?

Image source, Press Eye

Good evening from the SSE Arena in Belfast where the Belfast Giants will take to the ice as the Elite League leaders.

They went top with a resounding 6-1 win away at the Guildford Flames on Wednesday night and now are the hunted team with 14 games of the season to go.

Tonight they host in-form Glasgow Clan before welcoming Nottingham on Sunday. Clan currently sit in the last playoff place and have won six of their last 10 games - including three straight away from home. In league play, Belfast have not been beaten at the SSE Arena in regulation since 4 December and have won all meetings between the teams this season.

Tonight's starting six....

Belfast Giants

G Jackson Whistle D Gabe Bast D Sam Ruopp RW Steve Owre C Scott Conway LW David Goodwin

Glasgow Clan

G John Muse D Kevin Massy D Mitch Jones RW John Dunbar C Gary Haden LW Steven McParland

Image source, BBC Sport