Under the old format three defeats would have probably meant the competition was over but maybe not with the top 16 making the knockout stages. Three wins could be enough and so it is a must win game on Saturday night at the SSE Arena against Bolzano.

Image source, BBC Sport

Elijah Barriga misfired in front of goal on a one-timer that if he had connected on he surely would have scored.

And it becomes a frustrating loss for the Giants because after McLeod had equalised down two men on the penalty kill they had some Grade A scoring chances that they didn't take and they lose to a goal from a face-off that they initially won.

However 0-for-11 in the CHL in three games on the powerplay, six powerplay goals conceded, only two goals scored - it's not a great recipe for winning games.

Image source, BBC Sport

Giants kill another penalty and Nazarian has a breakaway chance, goes low with the shot but Buitenhuis makes a huge save.

Nazarian having no luck - however I'll make a prediction that the Giants will lead the Elite League in shorthanded goals this season if McLeod and Nazarian are killing penalties

5:23 to go...can the Giants find a equaliser?

Giants complete the kill and get up a head of steam and Ara Nazarian has a glorious chance to put his side ahead but misses the net from right in front of goal.

The Giants pay the penalty, literally, as Greg Printz get a tripping call from the Austrian official, yes, the Austrian referee officiating an Austrian team and straight from the draw they move the puck and Corey Mackin nets the go ahead goal.

Unbelievable - the Giants equalise down two men as Matty McLeod uses his speed to win the puck, break free on goal and beat Buitenhuis.

One penalty killer back on the ice but the Giants still on penalty kill

Quinn Preston and Daniel Tedesco both had good looks on the powerplay but neither can hit the net and Preston immediately takes a penalty as the time expired on the powerplay. Big kill now for the Giants which has just gotten harder as David Phillips get a hooking call.

5-on-3 for 1:27...

Big final period required from the Belfast Giants. They would love to take something from this game before they head home to the SSE Arena on Saturday night to face Bolzano.

If they are to do so, it starts with this opening two minutes on the powerplay.....

Image source, CHL

It's a poor goal to give away and the Giants will know that. The Giants will start the third period on the powerplay. It's one time they would really like to get it right with the man advantage.

Image source, BBC Sport

Just 1:47 to go in the second period and it appeared no danger but Braeden Shaw dispossessed Mark Garside, dangled around Jeff Baum, saw his shot saved by Beskorowany but the rebound fell to Gordon Green who said thank-you very much.

All this came as the Giants were switching out their forwards.

Quinn Preston has a rocket of a one-timer and he let rip during a better looking powerplay for the Giants but Buitenhuis made the save...

"Find another gear and the game is yours," coach Adam Keefe tells his troops...

Good penalty kill by the Giants with a special mention to Oliver Cooper before Greg Printz draws a tripping call - can they unlock the Innsbruck door?

Pretty awful powerplay for the Giants. One chance early on, other than that they failed to enter the zone and set up. Now 0-for-8 in the CHL this season and that is not going to please coach Adam Keefe or help you win many games.

Off we go in the second period...

Can the Giants generate some more offensive chances, especially five-on-five and the advice will be to stay out of the penalty box. So far the Giants have given up five powerplay goals in 2 and a bit games...

Image source, CHL

No score after one.

The Giants were hanging on a little in the closing stages of the first period. Innsbruck are neat and tidy and their movement in the offensive zone has the Giants chasing shadows at times but Beskorowany has made the saves.

Special teams are key in the CHL and the Giants penalty kill and powerplay in two games and a period hasn't been great but even strength they've created opportunities so there is hope heading into the second period.

Giants powerplay starts off okay without a clear cut chance but then Innsbruck take over shorthanded looking like they had the man advantage and go close to scoring. Matt McLeod forced Buitenhuis into a save late on.

The Giants kill a tripping penalty on Jeff Baum but Innsbruck's movement on the powerplay was impressive and it has given the Austrians the BIG MO - momentum as the period reaches the halfway point.

Beskorowany makes a big save on Kevin Roy who was left all alone by the Giants defence

Chances at both ends as the game flows from end-to-end in the opening minutes.

Forty second in, Tyler Beskorowany makes a huge save on Nathanael Halbert but at the other end Are Nazarian's redirection from Travis Brown's shot just goes wide.

Oliver Cooper also goes close forcing Evan Buitenhuis into a good save.

So can the Belfast Giants upset the odds and gain their first points in the CHL this season before returning home on Saturday night to face the Bolzano Foxes?

The first period is underway....

Adam Keefe’s Giants side suffer back-to-back defeats on their two opening Champions Hockey League fixtures in Finland

The Elite League champions are still searching for their first points in the competition this season as they face HC Innsbruck in the Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

The Belfast Giants are in Austria to face Innsbruck in their third and final away fixture of this season's competition.

A win for the Giants tonight, with three home games to come, would certainly keep them in the running for a top 16 finish and qualification for the play-offs.

No Ben Lake or Miles Gendron for the Giants tonight.

The starting line up is...

G Tyler Beskorowany D Jacob Friend D Charlie Curti F Daniel Tedesco C Elijah Barriga F Mark Cooper

Innsbruck beat Geneve-Servette in their opening game but lost to another Swiss side EHC Biel-Bienne.

Their starting six are...

G Evan Buitenhuis D Anders Krogsgaard D Jan Lattner F Kevin Roy F Adam Rockwood F Senna Peeters

Image source, BBC Sport