Giants found wanting ...

The title covers both Challenge Cup semi-final legs - on Wednesday last, a below average performance left Belfast on the back foot for tonights return leg at the National Ice Centre where they have to find a three goal advantage at the final hooter, to walk onto the Challenge Cup Final.

The Nottingham Panthers caught the Giants with their heads down in midweek and capitalised on their chances...

Three goals from Jinman, Thompson and Ahlroos in the first ten minutes set the scene and signs of things to come were seen when the usually dependable Captain Ruff was snuffed out by Panthers' netminder Niklas Sundberg when he rushed the swede on the breakaway.

New signing Mark Finney had some good chances but Belfast's first goal came from a Kelman slapshot from the blueline in front of goal, on the powerplay.

Paul Moran was credited with Nottingham's fourth and final of the night at 26.40 and that was enough for them to seal victory. Ruff grabbed the homeside's only other goal of the game, again on the powerplay with ten seconds left in the second period, with the shots on goal tally being 17:22 at that point.

With no more goals to be had, it has to be said that the final period was a labour to watch; the sharpness wasnt there, passes missed and positional play being questionable, but that summed up most of the game unfortunately.

The coach reckons the first five minutes are essential tonight - so do the fans. Quick goals and the ability to stay out of the bin might just make the mountain climbable - time will tell.

GK

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