Belfast complete the weekend double over Nottingham as Kawaguchi wins it in chaotic finish

Belfast Giants beat Nottingham Panthers 4-3 at the SSE Arena on Saturday evening to complete a remarkable weekend double over their title rivals, overcoming a Chase Pearson hat-trick and a chaotic third period featuring a fight, a 20-minute misconduct, and a five-minute goaltender interference penalty to win through Kawaguchi's decisive goal at 54:43. It is five wins from six for Belfast, and two victories over Nottingham in 24 hours sends a message that will echo across the EIHL's final weeks.

 

Alex Caffi started in goal for Belfast in place of the rested Kupsky — a notable squad management decision given the stakes — and the rookie kept Nottingham out when it mattered most in the closing stages.

Bast gave Belfast the lead at 12:17 — Beattie and Kawaguchi assisting — before Pearson equalised for Nottingham at 13:36 from Fossier and Henbrant. Long was penalised for interference at 14:52, the period ending 1-1 with the stage set for a second period that would define the match.

Pearson scored twice in rapid succession in the second period to put Nottingham in control. His second came at 26:50 from Kelsall and Volcan, and his third at 27:42 from Fossier and Henbrant to make it 1-3. With Belfast trailing by two and the crowd quietened, a bench minor for too many men at 31:41 compounded their difficulties.

 

Then Smith scored at 36:24 — Long and Lake assisting — to make it 2-3. Twenty-five seconds later, Lake scored at 36:49 from Smith and Irwin to level at 3-3. Two goals in 25 seconds, the same two players assisting and scoring in reverse order in consecutive goals — Smith scores, Lake assists; Lake scores, Smith assists. The second period ended 3-3 with the match entirely open.

The third period was extraordinary for reasons well beyond the scoreline. A bench minor for too many men at 40:29 gave Nottingham a power play they couldn't convert. Lake was penalised for hooking at 44:12. Then at 52:55, everything erupted simultaneously: Long received a five-minute goaltender interference penalty, Lake and Spencer fought (five-minute majors each), and Beattie received a 20-minute match penalty for fighting continuation. Doherty was also penalised for slashing at the same moment. Four simultaneous penalties at 52:55.

 

With Belfast down a man from the GI call, Nottingham had a sustained power play advantage. They couldn't score. Kawaguchi then scored at 54:43 — Boudrias and Irwin assisting — to give Belfast the lead at 4-3, and they held on through Nottingham's desperate finale. Grande went off at 58:34 as Nottingham called their timeout and pushed forward. They couldn't score. Belfast won.

Two wins in 24 hours over Nottingham Panthers — Friday's 4-2 and Saturday's 4-3. Belfast have now beaten Nottingham twice in the same weekend at the SSE Arena, with five wins from six across their last six matches. Pearson's hat-trick for Nottingham was a remarkable individual performance that wasn't enough, and Belfast's ability to score twice in 25 seconds when trailing 1-3 shows a squad that never accepts the match is over.

 

Result: Belfast Giants 4 – 3 Nottingham Panthers

Belfast Giants scorers: Bast 12:17 (A: Beattie, Kawaguchi) — Smith 36:24 (A: Long, Lake) — Lake 36:49 (A: Smith, Irwin) — Kawaguchi 54:43 (A: Boudrias, Irwin)

Nottingham Panthers scorers: Pearson 13:36 (A: Fossier, Henbrant) — Pearson 26:50 (A: Kelsall, Volcan) — Pearson 27:42 (A: Fossier, Henbrant)

Goaltenders: Alex Caffi (BEL) | Jason Grande (NOT)

Note: Belfast's Beattie received a 20-minute match penalty for fighting continuation at 52:55; Long also received a five-minute GI penalty at the same time. Nottingham's power play produced no goals.