Belfast Giants storm into Challenge Cup Final after beating Glasgow Clan

Trailing 2-1 from the fir1st Leg in Glasgow, the Giants impressed on home ice to win 7-5 on aggregate and will now face the Guildford Flames in the Final in Cardiff on March 10.

Goals from Smotherman (2), Rutherford, Baun and Riley helped the Giants to their second successive Challenge Cup Final and will get the opportunity to defend the trophy they won so memorable in Cardiff last season.

Tyler Beskorowany backstopped the Giants to the Semi-Final win against the Clan with the home side missing Guillaume Gelinas, Jonathan Ferland and Andrew Dickson.

Belfast opened the scoring at 9:33 when Chris Higgins found Jordan Smotherman in space with the forward firing into the roof of the Glasgow net to bring the home side level on aggregate.

David Rutherford edged the Giants infront in the tie with a cool finish at 13:36, assisted by Blair Riley.

Only 19 seconds later and Smotherman netted his second of the night with an unassisted effort.

Kyle Baun gave the hosts a four goal lead on the night at 18:17 with a fine one-timer after a cool no-look pass from Darcy Murphy

Glasgow pulled one back right at the end of the opening period when Matt Beca netted at 19:10, assisted by Scott Pitt.

Giants captain Blair Riley restored his side’s three goal lead on aggregate at 24:22 with an awesome top shelf finish, assisted by David Rutherford and Chris Higgins.

Craig Peacock made it 5-2 on the night with a low finish past Beskorowany at 33:45, assisted by Brendan Connolly and Guillaume Doucet.

Travis Erhardt brought the visitors to within one at 45:25, assisted by Matt Haywood and Rasmus Bjerrum.

Though the Giants hit back minutes later thanks to Josh Roach’s wrister from the blueline, assisted by Pat Dwyer and Kyle Baun at 47:27.

The Giants clash with the Glasgow Clan in Belfast again tomorrow night.

This time it is an Elite League game at The SSE Arena, face-off 7pm.