The Belfast Giants secure a four point weekend over the Nottingham Panthers as they are the 4-2 victors at the SSE Arena.

It was the perfect start for Adam Keefe's men who scored twice in the opening ten minutes of the game, but Hugo Roy was able to pull one back to make it 2-1 after one period.

Ara Nazarian restored The Giants' two goal lead with the only goal of the second period.

It was Nottingham who netted next when a great goal from Otto Nieminen made it 3-2. However, the home side grabbed a fourth thanks to Oliver Cooper.

The Panthers pushed for another and pulled their netminder in the final minute, but the 7,000 people crowd helped push The Giants over the finish line.

The result means last year's League champions move up to second place and are now 11 points behind leaders Sheffield, who have two games in hand.

These teams met again in Adam Keefe's sides next fixture this time next week when The Panthers welcome The Giants to the National Ice Centre

Image source, Press Eye

A huge save from Rok Stojanovic denies Ara Nazarian a second goal.

Since their fourth, Adam Keefe's men have dominated possession and look confident going forward.

What a time for The Giants to score!

Just as the away side looked to be pushing for an equaliser, The Giants extend their lead.

Oliver Cooper skates behind the net before skating to the right hand post and sending a strong strike across and into the bottom left hand corner at 49:20.

I'm sure that will calm the nerves of the home fans!

It's a one goal game in Belfast!

A great solo goal from Otto Nieminen who controls a loose puck in the neutral zone and skates forward before his effort beats Tyler Beskorowany.

Can Nottingham find another and tie the game?

20 minutes of hockey to go at the SSE Arena tonight.

Can The Giants make their lead more comfortable or will the Panthers stage a comeback?

Chances were at a premium in the second period. However, it was the home side who were able to take advantage of one of them with Ara Nazarian scoring with six minutes to go in the period.

A huge third period to come...

Image source, Press Eye

Ara Nazarian does superbly to beat Hugo Roy to the puck before passing to Ben Lake, who tricks the Nottingham netminder as he pretends to shoot, but he opts to pass back to Nazarian who fires past Rok Stojanovic.

A clever goal from the Gaints - can Nottingham respond?

It's not been a second period for the history books so far with neither netminder being tested in the opening ten minutes.

Will we see a goal before the break?

The second period is underway at the SSE Arena!

Image source, Press Eye

An exciting and feisty first period comes to an end.

Adam Keefe will be delighted with how his side started the game, but it was the visitors who grew into the match and grabbed a goal with three minutes to go.

Nottingham will start the second period with a man advantage as Josh Roach remains in the box after picking up a delay of game penalty.

Commentator's curse!

This time, it's Nottingham who grab a goal on a five-on-three power play.

Hugo Roy firing past the outstretched Tyler Beskorowany with three minutes to go in the first period.

Nottingham have settled into the game but are yet to test Tyler Beskorowany with four minutes to go in the first period.

Greg Printz plays the puck across to Bobby MacIntyre whose one-timer gives the home side a 2-0 lead with eight minutes gone.

Adam Keefe will be delighted with his side's performance so far.

This time the Giants scored while having a two man advantage with Logan Neilson and Tyler Welsh in the box at the time.

Image source, Press Eye

What a start from the home side!

With just 11 seconds left on the power play, the Giants take the lead!

Greg Printz steers Ara Nazarian's slapshot past Rok Stojanovic to give the home side an early lead at three minutes 50 seconds.

Adam Keefe's men had the man advantage because Myles McGurty received a two minute penalty for slashing.

The puck is dropped and we are underway!

Can Adam Keefe's men secure a four point weekend?

Tyler Beskorowany, who returned from international duty last night, starts between the pipes again this evening.

Charlie Curti and Josh Roach begin in defence with Greg Printz, Ben Lake and Sean Norris leading the threat up top.

Five minutes to go here until face-off at the SSE Arena...

Tonight at the SSE Arena, the Belfast Giants welcome the Nottingham Panthers.

This is the second game of the double header with the Giants victorious last night after coming from a goal behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Ara Nazarian and Will Cullen.

If the Giants win tonight they will leapfrog the Cardiff Devils and move up to second place, but would still be 11 points behind league leaders Sheffield.

If results go their way, a victory for tonight's visitors would close the gap to eighth placed Manchester to two points.