Jason Grande was the starting netminder with Luca Sheldon as backup. Matt Marcinew remains out with an injury, while Kevin Carr and Jarod Hilderman were the healthy scratches.
Fossier scores but Giants lead after first period
Jordan Kelsall’s pass set Mitch Fossier free to score on a breakaway (07:52) and Tim Doherty shot just wide as he broke through the Giants’ defence.
Brandon Whistle’s shot from the right circle was saved by Grande, but the visitors equalized when Nicolas Guay drove the net and scored a rebound from close range on the power play (17:19).
Grande had to be at his best to stop David Goodwin’s breakaway, but moments later, after the first save, the Panthers netminder was beaten by JJ Piccinich’s rebound (19:13).
Pearson and Henbrant on target as Panthers gain momentum
A collision between two Giants players allowed Panthers to break two-on-one as Nolan Volcan set up Chase Pearson to equalize (25:57).
Ross Armor sent Didrik Henbrant clear on the blueline and he beat Alexis Gravel through his five-hole to turn the game on its head (35:09).
Goals from Fossier and Doherty ensured two crucial points
Belfast made the perfect start to the third period when Piccinich scored in the breakaway for his second of the evening (40:17).
Panthers quickly regained the lead when Matt Alfaro won the face-off and Fossier drove over the net to score his second of the night (44:52).
Danny Stewart’s side took the lead in style when Fossier and Alfaro combined to set up Tim Doherty at the back door (47:32).
Giants lifted Gravel for the extra skater, but Grande and Panthers held on for two crucial points.
Major Cup Semi-Final Saturday at home against Steelers
It’s another big night on Lower Parliament Street next Wednesday (February 18) when Panthers host Sheffield Steelers.
The two arch-rivals will go head-to-head in the first leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final (7:30pm face-off) – a match sponsored by GVL Recovery.
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