Belfast Giants Lose Out Late To Cardiff Devils

By Love Belfast

March 17, 2018

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Giants v Cardiff_028 (2) — Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th March 2018 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Cardiff Devils players celebrate scoring against the Belfast Giants during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

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The Stena Line Belfast Giants fell to the Cardiff Devils on Friday night in Belfast. Andrew Hotham’s powerplay strike with 20 seconds to go gave the Devils the vital win that saw them claim their second Elite League title in-a-row.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Spiro Goulakos with Cardiff Devils Sean Bentivoglio during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Spiro Goulakos celebrates scoring against the Cardiff Devils during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Colin Shields celebrates scoring against the Cardiff Devils during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Sebastien Sylvestre with Cardiff Devils Ben Bowns during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Cardiff Devils players celebrate scoring against the Belfast Giants during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Ryan Martinelli during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 16th March 2018 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Belfast Giants Colin Shields scoring against the Cardiff Devils during Friday nights Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Friday’s clash was an enthralling encounter with both sides playing a free flowing game with one moment of magic likely to prove to be the difference between the sides and Hotham’s goal proved to be just that.

Chris Truehl started in net for the Giants and picked up the Man of the Match award, saving 23 shots.

Shields And Martin Trade Blows

Colin Shields opened the scoring on Friday with a nice back door finish, assisted by Steve Saviano at 13:22.

However the Devils struck back almost immediately when Joey Martin, assisted by Matt Pope, converted a 2-on-1 chance at 14:03.

Goulakos Equalises In Tense Middle Period

Matt Pope gave the Devils the go-ahead goal, unassisted, at 33:17.

Spiro Goulakos equalised at 37:13, assisted by David Rutherford and Brendan Connolly.

Devils Score Late To Claim Title

The decisive moment came at 59:40 when Andrew Hotham struck on the powerplay, unassisted, to give the Devils the goal that clinched the Elite League title.

Final Score:

Stena Line Belfast Giants 2-3 Cardiff Devils

Giants Man of the Match:

#33 Chris Truehl

Next Up?

The Giants return to action again on Saturday against the Fife Flyers, face-off 7pm.

Tickets are now on sale online at ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Arena Box Office either in person or by calling (028) 9073 9074.

Congratulations @cardiffdevils @toddkelman 🏆#BackToBackEIHLChampions – we will get you next season 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/QODZ31U9YT

— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) March 16, 2018