A goal from the most unlikely of sources helped the Belfast Giants close in on top spot in the Elite League as defenceman Jeff Baum’s second goal in as many games proved to be the difference in game one of their double-header with the Nottingham Panthers at the SSE Arena.
The Texas native ripped home a fine shot with 40 seconds to the first intermission for just his third goal of the campaign and what proved to be the game-winner in a shutout victory over a streaking Panthers side on home ice to snap the Giants’ two-game skid.
Danny Stewart’s visitors arrived in Belfast looking to continue a run that saw them win 12 of their last 15 and aiming to potentially draw level with the Giants in the standings were they to win both games but instead found Jackson Whistle impenetrable as the Great Britain international turned away all 27 shots he faced for his third clean sheet of the season.
He was helped by a superb defensive display in front of him, which limited the Panthers’ aggressive offense for the most part to the extent that, while they had plenty of zone time, the closest they came was Didrik Henbrant sliding the puck against the base of the post having been forced wide by the sprawling Whistle.
Instead, a 4-for-4 night on the penalty kill and an empty netter from J.J. Piccinich with 48 seconds left on the clock helped Adam Keefe’s men improve to 18-6-3 on the season and close to one point behind the Cardiff Devils.
First, though, they have the challenge of trying to double up the Panthers — a notoriously tough task in double-headers — in tonight’s rematch at the SSE Arena, although they will come into that game with no lack of confidence having blanked their rivals already.
That being said, Keefe’s men were largely stymied by Panthers back-up Jason Grande who, despite making 32 saves in a hard-luck losing effort, will likely cede the start to Ryan Bednard for game two, and finishing off their myriad chances will be a keen focus heading into that rematch.
The best example of that was in a first period that the Giants dominated the shot count in to the tune of 19-6 but could only find a way past Grande once, Ben Lake’s reverse pass into the left circle finding Baum whose laser-accurate shot pierced the top corner just when it appeared the game was headed into the first intermission scoreless.
Decked out in teal-and-silver jerseys, complemented by silver chrome helmets to match, to celebrate their 25th anniversary season, the Giants struggled to evade the attention of the officials, too. Twice they were left shorthanded in the first period, Gabe Bast caught for interference and Karl Boudrias penalised for tripping compared to the one powerplay they had — which would be their only one of the game — as Reid Stefanson sat for tripping.
If Nottingham were to get back into the game, however, it would be in a second period that they took a stranglehold on and forced Belfast to soak up plenty of pressure, Boudrias’ second penalty of the night for hooking putting them on the back foot and the Giants never able to gain a grip again after that.
But, try as they might, the Panthers couldn’t find a way through. Henbrant hit the base of the post, both Sam Herr and Cooper Zech found the glove of Whistle and the game remained a one-goal affair with a period remaining.
And it would belong to the Giants. They needed Whistle to again be big to produce stops on Herr on the breakaway and then Mitchell Fossier in close, as well as seeing out a holding penalty against Ciaran Long, but Piccinich would seal it with his 16th of the season, lofting the puck the length of the ice and into the empty net vacated by Grande.
One down. One to go.