Beaten Stingrays face exit from Cup
The Giants – who went into the match after a 6-1 defeat at Nottingham – broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. A loose puck was tapped home by Andrew Fournier with Ben Bowns committed to the initial shot.
Belfast enjoyed a greater share of chances and possession against subdued Hull in the second period and deservedly doubled their lead via Sam Roberts at 36.47.
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Hide AdJust 14 seconds before the end of the second period Noah Clarke fired high past Bowns to make it 3-0.
Some hope was offered to the home side at 46.57 when Dominic Osman’s pass found Tom Squires, who quickly created room for a shot from 10 yards out which flew past Belfast goalie Stephen Murphy.
But that was as close as Hull got, slipping to a sixth straight defeat and leaving the odds heavily stacked in Belfast’s favour when the two meet for the second leg at the Odyssey Arena on December 29 – a match which will double up as a league fixture.