Belfast rolled into Nottingham and stole two valuable points in their challenge cup qualifying quest. It was a tight game that could have went either way with Belfast out-shooting Nottingham 30-20 with both goalies in fine form.

It was Nottingham who took the lead after twenty two minutes when Marek Ivan scored with an assist going to John Craighead who has been having quiet season up to now. Going into the final frame the Giants needed a lift and that came from assistant coach Curtis Bowen who fired home his fifth goal of the season with an assist going to name-sake Jason Bowen.

The Giants kept the pressure on and with just under five minutes to go where rewarded for their efforts when coach Tony Hand fired home the game winner with George Awada picking up the assist. Hand the Giants top points scorer so far this season record his 6th goal of the year with the winning goal.

Nottingham Panthers 1-2 Belfast Giants

Panthers: Ivan 22:52.
Giants: C.Bowen 43:25, Hand 55:39.
(National Ice Centre, Nottingham).

Lines:
Huppe – Hand – Nasval
Johnson – C.Bowen – Awada
Morrison – Kelly – Levers

J.Bowen – Jamieson
Angelstad – Gavalier
Walton