It was a disjoined first period with the Belfast Giants kicking off the opening stanza with some hard-hitting physicality. That afforded Oceláři Třinec early scoring opportunities. Powerplay one for the Czechs was courtesy of Canadian forward Mark Cooper, who took a minor for interference, and Belfast netminder Peyton Jones was tested with a duo of one-timers rifled high from the left side.

Moments later a slashing call awarded to 27-year-old Marko Dańo gave Befast their first man advantage of the game. That chance evaporated seconds into the powerplay with the visiting side taking another penalty, this time Scott Conway.

Třinec's next powerplay went unrewarded, and with even strength resuming Belfast looked for shots on. Ciaran Long had a great chance on the doorstep of Marek Mazanec but the puck was swallowed up into the netminder's chest.

Třinec forward Alan Lyszczarczyk exited the ice after taking a stray stick to the face, and following a brief stoppage of play and review, the hosts were awarded yet another powerplay. The Czech side moved the puck skillfully for the full two minutes, and just as the powerplay was about to expire, a rollling puck off the back-boards was shovelled in the back of the net by Daniel Voženílek making it 1-0 for the hosts.

Despite it being a scoreless second period, Belfast shone, generating a handful of great scoring opportunities. Forward Darik Angeli almost scored after a pickpocket play on Třinec's defence, but Mazanec wasn't giving up any open net. Another opportunity arose for the Giants after a turnover saw a 4-on-2 rush unfold. A sprawling Mazanec and backcheck from Třinec somehow kept the puck out of the net.

Třinec had a chance to extend their lead after a penalty from Gabe Bast, but couldn't capitalise. With two minutes of the period remaining, Belfast pressured hard in the zone, but couldn't equalise.

Stanza three opened with a residual penalty kill for Belfast. Třinec had a close call after a puck chipped out from the corner and hit the skate of Mazanec, but a video review confirmed the puck had not crossed the goal line.

A tripping call on Jakub Jeřábek gave the Giants a well needed powerplay, but Marko Dańo had other ideas, netting a shorthanded goal, stick-side high on Jones. Petr Vrána contributed goal number three and an empty netter by Jan Zahradníček sealed the 4-0 win for Třinec.