The heartache was still fresh when Capital slotted a goal in the dying moments of Sunday's game to snaffle a 3-3 draw.
Five goals might have got past her in the opening weekend of the National Hockey League, but the 19-year-old physiotherapy student gave a good account of herself.
Her sprawling saves and sharp reflexes drew praise from coach Mark Stafford and helped keep Southern competitive - something which the side has struggled to achieve in the past.
There is always extra pressure on when you are the last line of defence.
But making a good save is the ultimate reward and keeps Gifford motivated.
"Heaps of people say to me, `Look, it has gone through the whole of the team before it's gone to you," she said.
"But I always feel the pressure a bit more.
"If I make a mistake it is a little bit worse than if a striker makes a mistake, because there are all those players behind them.
"I just try my best. At the end of the day, you can't let it get to you.
"I just love the feeling when you make a great save. So I just keep trying to get that buzz again and keep trying for those great saves."
This is Gifford's third year in the NHL and second year with the Storm.
She hails from Feilding and had a season with Central in her last year of school, but did not get on the field.
Southern was thumped 6-0 by Northland in the playoff for seventh last year and the Dunedin-based team has not won an NHL match since 2007, when it beat Auckland 2-1 to avoid finishing last.
But already there are signs this team will be a much more competitive unit.
Southern had opportunities to win but victory slipped away in the final minutes of both matches.
The involvement of Stafford appears to have lifted the team.
His professional approach, competitive attitude and Australian mentality is rubbing off on Southern, Gifford said.
"He has just made such an impact on the team.
"Everyone sort of expects Southern not to do that well - the wooden spooners I think they call us.
"But he is starting to make that turnaround.
"He motivates us and makes it interesting for us. It is just a great feeling. The team is meshing really well.
"I'm not sure how far we will go but I hope we can pull together and keep stepping up.
"We've got a whole lot of potential and we will have to see where we end up."
The remainder of the NHL will be played in Auckland and compressed into just nine days.
Southern starts with top-of-the table Canterbury on Saturday and plays Midlands on Sunday.
Southern will look to Australian imports Tamsin Lee and Kellie White to create play, with Kate Kernaghan busy in the midfield.
If it all goes terribly wrong, then it is up to Gifford to make the final stop.
