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It doesn't get any easier for the Giants as they face the defending European champions...

Thanks for following along tonight...back tomorrow with more CHL action

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A spirited performance from the Belfast Giants and there was little to choose between the teams.

The difference in the score line was a bad turnover by the Giants to gift wrap the go-ahead goal for the Finnish side and at this level you can't afford to do that.

Image source, CHL

Sebastian Repo makes it a three-point game for him (2 goals and an assist) as he scores the empty net goal that seals the win for the home side

The Giants are trying to find that goal to tie the game - great play from Jeff Baum as he skates around the back of the net and centres the puck but no team mate anticipates where the pass was going to go and it was into the perfect scoring area.

Quinn Preston's effort is then saved.

Awful turnover by the Giants at their own blueline and Lukko, with numbers, convert with Brayden Burke getting the go-ahead goal

Ara Nazarian gets called for tripping but Giants kill the penalty easily but can't afford to give those man advantage chances to Lukko

The Giants have been physical but not overly aggressive although their conditioning having only been together for a fortnight will be tested in the final period.

It would be huge to come away from this game with at least a point.

Here we go...final period underway

Image source, CHL

Good period of hockey. Giants take deserved lead but Lukko coming back strongly and taking advantage on the powerplay as the Giants tired. A lot of long shifts in their own defensive zone with the long change in the second period for the Giants.

However all to play for in the final twenty minutes.

Image source, CHL

The equaliser comes on the powerplay with Mark Garside in the box. The pressure was building, Beskorowany was doing his best to keep Lukko out but Sebastian Repo was on hand to pocket a loose puck and it's 1-1 with six minutes to go in the second period.

The Giants netminder had lost his stick earlier in the play.

The goal came after Giants Matty McLeod was denied short-handed.

After gaining momentum from the powerplay when they had a couple of great scoring chances the Giants follow it up with a terrific shift. The speed of Ara Nazarian down the right wing caused all sorts of problems and Greg Printz was on the doorstep to find the loose puck in the crease and open the scoring. Just past the halfway point and the Giants are in front.

Still scoreless as the goaltending battle continues but both teams have also squandered rebound opportunities as the pace picks up.

Giants heading to the powerplay after Kohei Sato is hauled down in the crease

Second period is underway in Finland. I think that's a new mask for Tyler Beskorowany for the CHL. So far, so good for the Giants against the side that finished third in the Finnish League last season.

Image source, CHL

Great tempo to the game but few clear cut chances. Both netminders in good form. Giants Adam Keefe will be very pleased with his sides efforts. Lukko look dangerous in the powerplay but even strength the Giants have had more shots.

The Giants Davy Phillips takes a tripping penalty but Beskorowany is in great early season form making two big saves. Skating even strength the Giants almost take the lead but they miss connection on a back post play.

Giants now heading to the powerplay. "That's great fifteen minutes," Giants coach Adam Keefe tells his players.

The first few minutes fly by and it's been a pretty good start for the Giants. Elijah Barriga with an early effort and Quinn Preston's speed causing trouble for Lukko who did force Tyler Beskorowany into a sprawling save.

We are underway in Finland - the underdog Belfast Giants - can they cause an upset?

LUKKO RAUMA

G Daniel Lebedeff

D Tarmo Reunanen

D Joshua Brooke

F Brayden Burke

F Julius Mattila

F Sebastian Repo

BELFAST GIANTS

G Tyler Beskorowany

D Jacob Friend

D Miles Gendron

F Daniel Tedesco

F Elijiah Barriga

F Mark Cooper

Image source, BBC Sport

This season the format of the competition has been revamped and some new rules changes will be employed for the first time.

Instead of the traditional Pools of four teams playing each other home and away, each side will play six different teams, with three games at home and three away. There's a straight 1-24 league ranking system, of which the top 16 will move on to the knockout stages.

The main rule change will see a player sit for the full duration of his penalty, usually two minutes, regardless of whether the team with the man advantage scores, which would normally signal the end of the powerplay.

Conversely, if the team that is shorthanded scores, then the penalty does come to an immediate end.

The purpose is to punish penalties more severely and, in turn, create more goal scoring opportunities that could have a huge influence in the result of a game.

Image source, Press Eye

Hi everyone and welcome to a new season of Belfast Giants ice hockey at BBC Sport.

How do the Belfast Giants top winning the Grand Slam last season? Well, how about a deep run in the Champions Hockey League - wouldn't that be exciting?

This afternoon the Giants begin their European adventure against Lukko Rauma.

It's a tough test ahead for Adam Keefe's side in Finland - let's hear from the Giants Head Coach....