The Coors Belfast Giants tonight sealed their spot at the Elite Ice Hockey League Playoff Finals weekend with a 5-3 victory away to the Basingstoke Bison.
Having started the job with a solid if unspectacular 3-1 home win in Belfast on Saturday night, the team travelled across to Basingstoke with a slender advantage.
The Bison however made it hard work and gave the Giants an early scare cutting the aggregate score to 3-2 with a 5th minute goal from Brad Cruikshank.
Three unanswered goals, from Ruff (his 100th Giants career goal), Hutchins and Levers settled the nerves somewhat and put the Giants right back in the driving seat despite a late 2nd period marker from Greg Owen.
The Giants were on top, playing some great intense hockey, but once again the powerplay gives us concerns, the Bison scoring short handed at 54.27 to give the Giants fans heart flutters once more. But up stepped defenceman JP Morin to close the game out with the 5th Giants goal on that same powerplay confirming the win and a Semi Final berth next Saturday. Bring it on!
| P | TEAM | GP | W(OT) | L(OT) | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giants | 54 | 46(0) | 5(3) | 95 |
| 2 | Steelers | 54 | 41(0) | 11(2) | 84 |
| 3 | Panthers | 54 | 38(0) | 12(4) | 80 |
| 4 | Devils | 54 | 32(0) | 12(10) | 74 |
| 5 | Blaze | 54 | 32(0) | 20(2) | 66 |
| 6 | Clan | 54 | 31(0) | 19(4) | 66 |
| 7 | Stingrays | 54 | 16(0) | 34(4) | 36 |
| 8 | Stars | 54 | 13(0) | 35(6) | 32 |
| 9 | Capitals | 54 | 13(0) | 37(4) | 30 |
| 10 | Flyers | 54 | 8(0) | 40(6) | 22 |
| Points | Robert Dowd | 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 40 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 49 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 247 |