Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
All Square in Cup Final
23-Mar-2009 | Discuss this ArticleThe Coors Belfast Giants left the Altringham Ice Dome with honours even in the Knock Out Cup final, despite technically losing the game by 1 goal.
The EIHL had decreed that the final league game of the season, between the Phoenix and the Giants, was to “double up” as the 1st leg of the Knock Out Cup final. Therefore with the game being tied after 60 minutes at 3-3, it is that score that will prevail into the 2nd leg this Thursday evening, despite the gaim moving into overtime and Nathan Ward picking up the, inconsequential, 2 league points.
Scoring was opened in the first 5 minutes by Luas Burnett, scoring his 17th goal of the season. Phoenix held this score through the, penalty ridden, 1st period till the dying seconds when Tyler Howells popped up on the powerplay and levelled things going into the break.
Despite dominating play in a chippy second period, the Giants were unable to wholey capitalise. The two teams traded goals by Bobby Robins and Luke Flugham to enter the final period all square at 2-2.
Phoenix pulled ahead within 5 minutes of the 3rd stanza, Garbutt and Mulheron setting up Flugham for his second of the night and 33rd of the season. But in the 54th minute, with Phoenix Kyle Bruce in the box for hooking, Colin Shields notched up his 35th league goal of the season and squared things up in this 2 legged cup final
Wards overtime decider proved superfluous, as both teams look toward Thursdays game at the Odyssey Arena. Phoenix hoping to gain revenge for last weeks Challenge Cup final defeat, While the giants hope to add to their silverware hoard this season.
With the league finally complete, all that remained this weekend was the confirmation of the Playoff matches. The Giants, having cemented 4th place in the league last week against the Nottingham Panthers, will face the Cardiff Devils in the quarterfinals.
League Champion Sheffield Steelers match up against 8th placed Edinburgh Capitals. Coventry Blaze will take on Newcastle, and Nottingham Panthers will face the Manchester Phoenix.
Patrick Smyth
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League Standings
| 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 |
Giants' Stat Leaders
| Points | Robert Dowd | 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 40 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 49 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 247 |