Giants win 2023 Viaplay Playoffs!

Photo: Dean Woolley

Belfast Giants have won the 2023 Viaplay Playoff Final, completing a Grand Slam, after a 4-1 victory over Cardiff Devils at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. 

Ben Bowns pulled off a series of stunning pad stack and glove saves in the opening period to keep the game scoreless, but the Devils grew into things and began creating the better chances. With the clock running down, Trevor Cox and Cole Sanford combined to throw the puck in front to the on-rushing Mark Richardson who fired into the gaping net and put Cardiff ahead with less than two seconds remaining on the first period clock.

Period two again saw Bowns deny the Giants on a number of Grade A chances, but he could do little about Jeff Baum's shot from the point which passed a number of bodies before finding the net to tie the game with 2:20 left in period to.

As overtime loomed, Steve Owre finished in front of Bowns to put the Giants ahead with 8:18 to play. 56 seconds later, Donovan Neuls wrist home for a 3-1 lead, while Mark Cooper found the empty net with 2:39 left to complete the victory.