The Belfast Giants snuck past Fife Flyers before losing to Glasgow Clan on penalties this weekend, meaning Adam Keefe’s side have lost vital ground at the top of the league table.
Their closest rivals, Sheffield Steelers, collected the full four points from their games this weekend meaning they sit just two points behind the Giants in the league standings albeit the Belfast side have one game in hand.
Fresh from being crowned Challenge Cup winners on Wednesday evening, the men in teal did not have long to rest on their laurels. A two-day turnaround from their Challenge Cup final against Cardiff Devils was always going to be a tricky task.
Indeed, on the evidence of Saturday’s game, the Giants had difficulty switching focus back to their league campaign because Fife – who sit 56 points below the Giants in the league – gave the visitors a serious run for their money.
It was a spirited effort from the Scottish side but the Giants struggled to put them away despite holding the lead three times.
Mike Lee struck for the Giants to put them ahead before it was cancelled out by a strike from Carozza. JJ Piccinich added the Giant’s second and the back and forth continued, with Fife replying followed by Josh Roach notching a goal to claim the lead for the third time.
Scott Conway struck on the powerplay in the third period and although the hosts scored again to make it a one goal game, the Giants held on despite some late pressure to escape with a hard-earned two points.
A narrow win on Saturday was followed by a narrow loss on penalties on Sunday evening which cut the Giant’s lead at the top of the table.
The game itself took a while to ignite, with a few chances but both sides failing to capitalise.
The third period saw Glasgow take the lead on 45 minutes, with Sideroff sweeping home to give his side an incredibly brief one-goal advantage.
Bobo Carpenter assisted Pierre-Olivier Morin a minute later and the Giants were level. The remaining time and overtime could not separate the sides and the game went to penalties with Glasgow taking the spoils and the Giants left with a point.
With just seven league games to go, the Giants will need to recapture their league form having suffered five defeats in their last seven games.
The Giants will now turn their attention towards games against Cardiff Devils away and Guildford Flames at home next weekend.