The Sheffield Steelers were impressive winners in this game and after scoring the three first period goals were also comfortable for the remainder of the game.

After going 4-0 to start the Elite League season the Giants have slumped to 5-5 and Ben Lake and Daniel Tedesco were absentees from the latter stages of this game ahead of Sunday's game in Manchester as the injury concerns grow for Adam Keefe's side.

Four of the Giants losses have also been against the sides that finished 2nd-4th in the league last season - Guildford, Cardiff and Sheffield.

It's a difficult period for the Giants at the moment.

One other stat from the game - the Steelers won the face-off battle 41-21 - that's disturbing for the Giants as well.

Image source, BBC Sport

Jacob Friend and Kevin Tansey drop the gloves as the frustration reaches boiling point for the Giants.

They just need this game to end.

Steelers 2-for-2 on the powerplay as Daniel Ciampini out battles two Giants defencemen in front of the Giants net to pocket a rebound.

Seven minutes remaining and there's no sign of the Giants gaining any momentum to get back into the game.

One bright light has been Kohei Sato who has skated hard and been as big a threat as anyone for the Giants.

Another Steelers breakaway and Beskorowany makes a save on Brandon Whistle.

Image source, BBC Sport

And that might be that.

Turnover, no back-checking for the Giants and it led to a couple of Steelers all alone in front of Tyler Beskorowany and Scott Allen had the easy, unchallenged finish.

A quick goal at the start of the third period for the Giants would make this interesting.

The Steelers coach Aaron Fox will be calling on his side to step up a gear after a poor second period and put the game to bed.

Image source, BBC Sport

It was a good period for the Giants but it should have been better with the long powerplay, the two-man advantage and some other chances including a fine poke-check by Matthew Greenfield on Matty McLeod.

They only allowed four shots on their own net.

Image source, BBC Sport

Giants get a goal but had 1:27 of a two-man advantage that they didn't capitalise on.

Sheffield will be happy to be back at even strength after conceding just one goal.

Giants score as Greg Printz converts a beautiful slap-pass from Matty McLeod.

Still three minutes left on the major penalty.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a brighter start to the second period by the Giants and they now have a 5-minute powerplay after Scott Allen's boarding call on Ben Lake.

Big minutes for the Giants coming up

Not sure what Adam Keefe will have said during the first period break to the Giants players but it more than likely stripped the paint from the locker room walls.

Defensively the Giants aren't playing as a unit of five players and the coverage in their own zone has been really poor at times.

It's led not only to three goals but some other excellent scoring chances for the Steelers.

Only 8 shots for the Giants at the other end and not many from good scoring areas.

Will things change in the second period?

Image source, BBC Sport

Standing ovation from the Sheffield fans for a dominating first period.

Only a late double save from Beskorowany stopped it being even worse for the Giants who look like a team with very little confidence.

It's a long road back for Adam Keefe's side in this one.

Image source, BBC Sport

The Giants defence pinch into the offensive zone but lose the puck and Sheffield convert the simple two-on-one going the other way.

Brett Neumann with the excellent finish.

Patrick Watling doubles the Steelers lead with the man advanatge finishing off an excellent powerplay.

Giants look in trouble.

Since the goal the Giants have settled down and fired some pucks on Matthew Greenfield.

There have been a couple of rebounds but they haven't fallen on a Giants stick.

Not the start the Giants wanted as Mikko Juusola's quick wrist shot from the left circle beats Tyler Beskorowany

Steelers include new signing defenceman Dominic Cormier who makes his first appearance in a full-strength Sheffield line-up.

Belfast are without Jackson Whistle, Josh Roach, Mark Garside, Oliver Cooper - all injured and Miles Gendron who is suspended for 2 games.

Puck is dropped and we are underway.....

From Stamford Bridge to the Dundonald International Ice Bowl on the outskirts of Belfast, Petr Cech has now played all the big venues.

The Champions League and Premier League winner has carved out a career for himself in ice hockey in recent years, having played the sport in his home country Czechia in his youth.

That doesn't mean, however, that all of his new team-mates know who he is.

Read more here

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Arguably the biggest game of this evening sees league leaders Sheffield Steelers host defending Grand Slam champions Belfast Giants.

The hosts lead the Giants by four points and have played one game fewer so far this season.

After a thirteen game winning streak in all competitions came to and end, Belfast have lost four of their last five games and were beaten twice last weekend.

Sheffield have not lost since 1 October. It's the first meeting of the season between the two sides.

Image source, BBC Sport