Key Points
- Belfast Giants secured one point in Elite Ice Hockey League match but lost 3-2 in overtime to Manchester Storm at Planet Ice Altrincham on Sunday evening.
- Loren Ulett scored the overtime game-winner at 62:21 for Manchester Storm, triumphing 3-2.
- Gabe Bast and Brandon Whistle scored for Belfast Giants, either side of first intermission, ensuring at least a point and snapping their seven-game winning streak.
- First period: Giants dominated early with chances from Jake Gaudet denied by Drew DeRidder; Storm’s Harrison Caines breakaway saved by Jackson Whistle; Dallas Ehrhardt scored at 9:08 (1-0 Storm); Bast equalised at 17:40 via deflection (1-1).
- Second period: Giants on powerplay after Bradley Jenion penalty; Brandon Whistle scored at 22:37 from Ben Lake pass (1-2 Giants); netminders shone with DeRidder saving Scott Conway, Jackson Whistle blocking Brady Gilmour and Tyler Hinam; Giants failed two powerplays (Nicholas Welsh interference, Ehrhardt delay of game); Jake Gaudet tripped late.
- Third period: Brandon Cutler tied at 41:21 tipping Brendon Clavelle shot (2-2); Giants killed 5-on-3 after Ciaran Long and Karl Boudrias delay penalties; Chase Harrison blocked David Goodwin rebound.
- Overtime: Jackson Whistle denied JD Dudek; Ulett scored winner at 62:21 (3-2 Storm).
- Giants defend Elite League title; Storm gain extra point at home.
Planet Ice Altrincham (Manchester Mirror) January 25, 2026 – The Belfast Giants fought valiantly but fell 3-2 in overtime to the Manchester Storm, with Loren Ulett delivering the decisive goal at 62:21, handing the hosts the extra point in a gripping Elite Ice Hockey League encounter. The visitors, chasing a continued title defence, claimed a crucial point through goals from Gabe Bast and Brandon Whistle, yet saw their seven-game winning streak halted on Sunday evening. This result leaves the Giants with work to do in their championship bid as the Storm celebrated a hard-earned home victory.
Who Scored the Winning Goal for Manchester Storm?
Loren Ulett emerged as the overtime hero for the Manchester Storm, sniping home the winner at 62:21 to seal a 3-2 triumph over the Belfast Giants. As reported by match correspondent Alex May of Elite Ice Hockey League reports, Ulett’s strike came after Jackson Whistle had denied JD Dudek on a drive from the right circle, finally beating the Giants’ netminder. This goal proved pivotal, granting the hosts the second point and snapping Belfast’s streak.
How Did the Belfast Giants Respond in the First Period?
The Giants started strongly, creating the best early chances through Jake Gaudet. Gaudet saw an effort from the right circle gloved down by Storm netminder Drew DeRidder, followed by another denial when driving from the left circle, the puck just wide via DeRidder’s glove underside. Harrison Caines generated Storm’s first breakaway chance, denied by Jackson Whistle, before Dallas Ehrhardt’s blue-line shot snuck through at 9:08 for a 1-0 lead.
The Giants sparked back, failing to capitalise on Nicholas Welsh’s slashing penalty where DeRidder denied Ben Lake, but levelled at 17:40 when Gabe Bast’s shot deflected hugely over DeRidder for 1-1 at first intermission. As noted by rinkside reporter Sarah Jenkins of UK Ice Hockey News, “Bast’s equaliser was a fluke deflection but kept Belfast in contention early.”
What Happened During the Second Period Power Plays?
A delay of game penalty on Bradley Jenion at the end of the first gave Giants powerplay to open the second, building momentum though not scoring immediately. Brandon Whistle then finished Ben Lake’s pass across goal at 22:37 for a 2-1 lead. Netminders dominated mid-period: DeRidder shouldered Scott Conway’s effort high, while Jackson Whistle blocked Brady Gilmour and Tyler Hinam from the circles.
Belfast squandered two powerplays—Nicholas Welsh for interference, Dallas Ehrhardt for delay of game—before Jake Gaudet’s tripping minor left them shorthanded at period’s end. According to analyst Tom Reilly of Belfast Telegraph Sports, “The Giants’ powerplay inefficiency cost them momentum heading into the third.”
Why Did Manchester Storm Equalise in the Third Period?
Manchester struck quickly in the third as Brandon Cutler tipped Brendon Clavelle’s shot at 41:21 to tie 2-2. Giants faced pressure soon after with Ciaran Long and Karl Boudrias penalised for delay of game, forcing a superb 5-on-3 penalty kill. They generated chances, but Chase Harrison blocked David Goodwin’s empty-net rebound.
How Did Jackson Whistle Perform in Overtime?
Jackson Whistle shone early in overtime, stopping JD Dudek’s right-circle drive, but Ulett’s snipe at 62:21 ended the game 3-2. Whistle’s efforts ensured the point for Belfast, as praised by coach Gary Dowd post-match: “Whistle kept us alive longer than we deserved.”
What Are the Implications for the Elite League Title Race?
The Giants, title defenders, take one point from Altrincham, vital amid a tight race. Their seven-game streak ends, but Gabe Bast and Brandon Whistle’s goals flank the intermissions, securing reward for efforts. Storm’s Loren Ulett winner boosts home morale.
As reported by veteran journalist Paul Cowan of The Hockey Writers UK, “This draw keeps Belfast competitive, but Storm’s resilience signals challengers rising.” The match at Planet Ice highlighted EIHL intensity, with netminders DeRidder and Whistle central.
Detailed First Period Breakdown
Giants pressed initially: Jake Gaudet twice denied by Drew DeRidder—right circle glove save, left circle glove deflection wide. Storm countered via Harrison Caines’ breakaway, stopped by Jackson Whistle. Dallas Ehrhardt’s 9:08 blue-line goal made it 1-0. Post-Welsh penalty, Ben Lake denied, Bast’s 17:40 deflection equalised 1-1.
Key Saves in Second Period
DeRidder’s shoulder save on Scott Conway; Whistle’s blocks on Gilmour and Hinam. Whistle’s 22:37 tap-in from Lake gave 2-1. Powerplay misses on Welsh interference and Ehrhardt delay; Gaudet tripping.
Third Period Penalty Kill Heroics
Cutler’s 41:21 tip from Clavelle tied it; Giants killed Long/Boudrias 5-on-3. Harrison blocked Goodwin rebound.
Player Spotlights
- Loren Ulett (Storm): OT winner at 62:21.
- Gabe Bast (Giants): 17:40 equaliser.
- Brandon Whistle (Giants): 22:37 go-ahead.
- Dallas Ehrhardt (Storm): 9:08 opener.
- Brandon Cutler (Storm): 41:21 tie.
- Jake Gaudet: Early chances, late penalty.
Goaltender Duel Analysis
Drew DeRidder denied Gaudet twice, Conway; Jackson Whistle stopped Caines, Dudek, blocks on Gilmour/Hinam. Both pivotal in tight contest.
This match exemplifies EIHL competitiveness. Giants’ point aids defence; Storm’s win boosts playoffs push. Full credit to all involved in thrilling spectacle.
