Giants power into cup semis

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants overturned a 3-2 aggregate deficit to advance to the Premier Sports Challenge Cup Semi-Finals with a powerful performance against the Coventry Blaze live on Premier Sports.

The Giants, down by one from the first leg, were quick out of the blocks and levelled the aggregate score with a little over five minutes played - JJ Piccinich deflecting the puck past CJ Motte from David Goodwin's feed off a 2-on-1 rush. Things got better for the hosts at 9:10 when Piccinnich turned provider for Goodwin to pick his spot in the slot, and the Giants carried a 2-0 on the night lead into the break despite Coventry having some of the better chances through the opening seven minutes.. Janne Lakkkonnen hit the crossbar with the Blaze's best chance of the latter part of period.

Heading into period two up by one on aggregate, Belfast wasted no time in padding out their lead. After good offensive zone pressure, Slater Doggett tipped home Mark Cooper's shot in front of Motte some 100 seconds into the period to make it 3-0. Goodwin set up Conway for the tic-tac-toe finish at 22:53 to make it four and give the Blaze a huge uphill task.

Lewis Hook put five on the board for the Giants when he got on his own rebound to score shorthanded at 55:44, before a nice individual effort from Janne Kivilahti got the Blaze on the scoresheet with 3:29 to play.

The Giants saw out the final few minutes to record an impressive home win and will be at home for the one-off Semi-Final - who they'll play will be determined next week.