The Belfast Giants’ weekend at the SSE Arena had a bit of everything: goals, grit, and a reminder that momentum can be a fragile thing.
On Friday night, they thrilled a sold-out home crowd with a six-goal third-period comeback to defeat Manchester Storm 6–3.
Twenty-four hours later, the same opponents returned to snatch a 2–1 overtime win.
Three points from a possible four was a fair return, but coach Adam Keefe will know his side left more on the table.
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The results leave Belfast sixth in the Elite Ice Hockey League after nine games, but with games in hand over the top four.
In the Challenge Cup, they have already secured top spot in their group, a welcome cushion as the domestic season gathers pace.
If ever a game captured the volatility of sport, Friday night was it.
Trailing 3–0 midway through the second period, the Giants looked flat, out of rhythm, and short of conviction.
Manchester’s Gary Haden, Joseph Nardi, and Dennis Busby had punished defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency.
Then came the spark. Early in the third, Jordan Kawaguchi pulled one back on the power play, igniting belief in the stands.
Scott Conway’s quick follow-up turned the SSE Arena into a cauldron.
Within minutes, Nicolas Guay levelled, finishing a slick passing move that showcased the Giants at their fluent best.
From there, it was a tidal wave. JJ Piccinich tipped home a David Goodwin shot to put Belfast ahead for the first time, Jake Gaudet made it five, and Patrick Grasso sealed it into an empty net.
A six-goal turnaround in twenty minutes: the sort of response that makes you think Adam Keefe must have given his side the hairdryer treatment during the second interval.
If Friday was about flair, Saturday was about attrition. The Giants looked to complete a sweep, but the Storm came with a clear plan and stuck to it.
After a scrappy, penalty-ridden opening, Nicolas Guay broke the deadlock midway through the second period, finishing off smart interplay from Piccinich and Mike Lee.
But penalties again proved costly. A 5-on-3 power play handed Haden the platform to level, and the Giants never quite recovered their rhythm.
Both sides had late chances. Ciaran Long whistled one wide, Kawaguchi came close with a deflection, but it was Manchester who took advantage of a loose puck just 17 seconds into overtime, Nick Welsh firing past Alexis Gravel to claim the extra point.
For Keefe, the defeat was a test of temperament. “We didn’t play our game plan, we played Manchester’s,” he said afterwards.
“They dragged us into a dogfight, and we took too many stupid penalties. That affects our ability to play the way we want to play.
“You’ve got guys sitting on the bench instead of skating shifts, and we just didn’t compete hard enough physically to control the game.”
Still, Keefe acknowledged that there were positives.
“We were good for large portions, but not consistent enough. We need to be better five-on-five; that’s where games are won.”
The Giants’ mixed weekend leaves them well within striking distance of the early leaders with a lot of hockey still to play.
The two games this weekend were a microcosm of the Giants’ season so far - glimpses of quality but a side lacking consistency.
Not a disaster by any means, but fans will be hopeful a sustained run is close.
They host Coventry Blaze on Friday before travelling to Guildford Flames on Saturday, and Keefe will want his side to channel more of Friday’s relentless energy on show in the third period and less of Saturday’s frustration.
As weekends go, this one offered Belfast both a reminder of their potential and a warning of how quickly it can slip.
