We're living on a prayer was how Bon Jovi put it. And tonight the Belfast Giants clung on to secure a one goal victory in the Lace city.
Tonights goals came from George "Big Lad" Awada and the mercurial Tony Hand. The Giants took the lead on the one minute and one second mark, with Awada firing home the goal from a Tony Hand set-up. The Panthers managed to draw level in a game with quite a few minor penalties, thanks to Nick Boynton, one of the Panthers "ringer" NHL men.
The game looked like it was heading for overtime, but once again, with big Diarmuid Kelly doing some hard work, Giants Man of the Match Tony Hand managed to secure an invaluable two points for the team. Unfortunately not all of tonights results went in the Giants favour. Although the Devils lost at home, Coventry Blaze hammered 6 goals past Basingstoke Bison, shoring up their lead at the top of the table.
Tomorrow nights game is sure to have folks on the edge of their seats as each team looks to gain dominance and assert their authority over the other in the final stretch of the league campaign.
| 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 |