A goal on his return for Bobo Carpenter and a first pro goal for Zak Galambos means the Belfast Giants only need to avoid defeat in regulation to the Fife Flyers on Saturday in order to earn top seeding in the Challenge Cup knockout stages after a midweek victory over the Glasgow Clan.
Backed by an excellent 30-save performance from Jackson Whistle in goal, it was Carpenter, back in the line-up after a three-week absence, who grabbed the opener just 7:52 into the second period on the powerplay to set the Giants on their way.
Defenceman Galambos, playing in just his third game of the season following a training camp injury, gave the visitors a cushion with his first goal since turning professional over the summer as he notched the one-timer at 12:53 of the same period and Scott Conway added on with a third period powerplay goal to help Adam Keefe’s side improve their record to 10-1-0 in the group stages.
Already guaranteed to top Group B before this game, the Giants can now secure top seeding for the knockouts and ensure the Final would be at the SSE Arena were they to make it with anything but a regulation loss against the Flyers on home ice on Saturday.
In the short-term, this re-arranged fixture — which was originally meant to be their fourth game of the season back in September — was the perfect tonic for Keefe after seeing his side fall to Sheffield on Sunday and while the performance wasn’t perfect, he’ll be happy with a 3-for-3 night for the penalty kill and a 2-for-6 night for the powerplay.
After a scoreless first period that was in every way inconsequential, the Giants were the better side in the second period and they were rewarded when Carpenter forged them ahead, taking advantage of a tripping call on Michael Pelech to force the puck in under the pads of Clan netminder Landon Bow — 17 saves — for the powerplay goal.
Galambos then broke his duck, picking the top corner with a fine finish after good work behind the net by JJ Piccinich and Conway to have them two to the good at the second intermission, but Matt Stief made it interesting when his long-range effort went all the way in just 6:46 into the final frame.
But that proved to be all that beat Whistle and Conway made the result secure at 52:13, snapping in the one-timer from the right circle for the powerplay goal — Darien Kielb called for boarding — to wrap up the two points.