A closely fought Friday night encounter saw the Giants edge the visiting Storm, 2-1.

A feisty start to the match saw Merchant & Nazarian lock horns after the latter to exception to a heavy hit. However, this turned out to be the only major evident in any otherwise cagey opening first period.

The middle period followed in a very similar vein, as neither side could find any continuity throughout their respective forward lines. It would take several favourable bounces for the Storm to eventually trouble the timekeepers. A drive to the net from Martan and puck bounce somehow found Johnson wide open infront of the Giants to tap home.

Unfortunately, with 4.4 seconds remaining in the second Belfast were able to draw level through MacIntyre to set-up a dramatic final period of play. A great 5on3 powerplay opportunity for the Storm came and went in the opening stages of the third. This missed chance would come back to bite, as an opportunistic shot from the point somehow evaded everyone.

Despite some late pressure from Manchester, they couldn’t find another way beyond Beskorowany.