Giants make it 9 league wins in a row and 4 in the past 6 nights. This was a gutsy victory as they were short benched and Tyler Beskorowany saved them when they looked tired in the second period.

However they got going on the powerplay and those two quick goals gave them the momentum and the last three goals added gloss to the scoreline.

Wasn't a 6-1 game and the Panthers will be disappointed not to see out the full sixty minutes.

The Giants get the week off now to prepare for a trip to Scotland and visits to Glasgow and Fife next weekend.

Image source, Press Eye

Matt McLeod is having himself a weekend as he scores his second of the game and third of the weekend as more gloss added to score in dying seconds

Lewis Hook scores his third of the weekend as Giants put a little gloss on the scoreline.

It hasn't at times been pretty tonight but the crowd of 6931 will go home happy as Steve Owre converts Scott Conway's pass to seal the victory.

Panthers pull their netminder to go 6-on-4 on the powerplay and it works as they get back into the game when Stephen Anderson scores on a redirection.

10 minutes remaining...

Giants powerplay goes to work again with captain David Goodwin's wrist shot from the left circle finding the top corner.

Panthers will get a chance on the man advantage next

Image source, Press Eye

Firstly apologies we are having some connection issues here at the SSE Arena.

Third period underway and Giants have gotten what maybe a huge powerplay goal from Henrik Eriksson.

2-0 and 15 minutes to go

Image source, Press Eye

Somehow the Giants are still ahead. They look tired playing their fourth game in six nights and having already iced without Josh Roach and Will Cullen they've lost a third defenceman Jeff Baum in that period.

Panthers have failed to convert on four powerplays but the last one it was down to Tyler Beskorowany who made two other-worldly saves to keep the Giants on front

Image source, Press Eye

Both sides not great on the powerplay today and Tyler Beskorowany makes the biggest save of the game so far when he stops Jack Hopkins on a breakaway straight after the Panthers player steps out on the ice after serving a penalty.

At the other end Peyton Jones saves from Matt McLeod as the tempo begins to rise.

Image source, Press Eye

In their last two games the Giants have owned the second period scoring 10 goals, including six last night. Will they continue that trend or will the Panthers come back?

The puck has been dropped...

Image source, Press Eye

Congratulations to Nottingham Panthers’ Mike Caruso who is playing his 800th career game tonight...

Image source, Press Eye

Giants lead after a tight first period. Nottingham playing well but haven't taken advantage of two powerplays.

Giants fans enjoying the play of newest signing Matt McLeod.

Image source, Press Eye

Panthers on the powerplay and Fabrizio Ricci gets a shot away that Tyler Beskorowany saves but then he goes after Sam Ruopp, and drops his gloves and everyone else gathers.

Ricci gets two minutes for roughing

Panthers fail to score on their first powerplay, now the Giants get their chance with the man advantage.

Giants don't score either and immediately go back on the penalty kill

Good things happen when you shoot the puck. Grant Cooper's shot saved high off the shoulder by Peyton Jones, Cooper reaches the rebound, Jones gets a pad to it but the puck falls to Matt McLeod and his impact with the Giants in his first weekend continues as he pockets his second goal in two games.

Image source, Press Eye

Nothing much to report from the first few minutes, Panthers have started the better of the two sides - Giants certainly not up to speed yet. Pace beginning to quicken

Image source, Press Eye

Another day of action in this exciting 4-team race for the Elite League Championship.

Can the Panthers stop the Giants 8 game-winning steak in the league and dent their titles hopes, The last time the Panthers were in Belfast they split the doubleheader winning the second game, 4-3, just over a month ago.

Giants icing without two defencemen - Josh Roach and Will Cullen

The action is underway,...

Belfast Giants

G Tyler Beskorowany D Gabe Bast D Sam Ruopp RW Steve Owre C Scott Conway LW David Goodwin

Nottingham Panthers

G Peyton Jones D J.C Brassard D Kelly Summers RW Stephen Anderson C Jeremy Welsh LW David Levin

Image source, BBC Sport

Thank you for joining us live from the SSE Arena in Belfast for today's Elite League clash between the Belfast Giants and Nottingham Panthers.

The Giants maintained top spot in the Elite League with a thumping 8-0 win over Glasgow last night in front of a crowd of 7104.

They are two points clear of Guildford who have home advantage over Coventry today. Sheffield are 4 points behind and they travel to Fife while Cardiff, now 5 points adrift are in Dundee.

It's the Giants fourth game in six nights. They faced the Panthers on Tuesday where the Giants came away with a two-goal shutout win.

To get you ready for the game here's what debutant Matt McLeod and Giants coach Adam Keefe had to say after last night's game plus all the goals.....