Gutsy Giants overturn league-leaders Nottingham

 COLIN Shields and Craig Peacock both grabbed doubles as Belfast Giants closed the gap on the Nottingham Panthers with a crucial victory over the league leaders on Friday.

The Giants got off to the perfect start and found themselves two goals to the good after 13 minutes as Shields and Peacock both grabbed their 17th and 12th goals of the season respectively.

But the scores were level on the half-hour mark as Mario Larocque netted his first goal for the Panthers in his six appearance before David Clarke bagged the equaliser.

Sean McAslan then completed the turnaround on 35 minutes to leave the Giants reeling, but they quickly regrouped and player/coach Steve Thornton bagged his first goal of the season just a minute later.

From then on Belfast took control and a powerplay goal from Michael Jacobsen on 39 minutes gave the home side the initiative back.

With time running out for the Panthers, they piled forward but could not find a way through as Craig Peacock netted a fifth for the Giants, before Shields struck late on after Nottingham had pulled their goaltender.

The Giants will have to chance to move level on points with the Panthers when the two sides meet again on Saturday.