The Coors Belfast Giants tonight begin their quest to reach a second Cup Final this season. With the Giants competing in the first leg of the Challenge Cup final on Sunday in Manchester, tonight Steve Thornton’s side host the Cardiff Devils in Dundonald International Ice Bowl for the 1st Leg of the Knock Out Cup Semi-final.
Were the Giants to ultimately triumph and reach the Final, it would set up a repeat Final fixture against the Manchester Phoenix.
Jason Rushton is confirmed as out of tonight’s game, with Evan Cheverie being 50/50. However Coach Thornton returns to action tonight, having been out with a concussion. Tonigh also sees the return to “home” ice of Paul Sample.
Cardiff are coming off a Penalty shots loss to the hands of the Newcastle Vipers, while the Giants are looking to bounce back following an unexpected loss at Murrayfield to the Edinburgh Capitals.
You can follow tonight’s game in a number of ways, Join us for our full interactive live text coverage HERE from 7.15pm, leave you comments, enjoy the banter and vote in the live interactive polls.
There will also be a live Webcast from our good friends at GiantsLive.tv. So tune in with them and/or enjoy the craic with us from 7.15pm
Patrick Smyth
| 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 |