The Cardiff Devils and the Belfast Giants progressed to the final of the Elite Ice Hockey League Playoff Final on Sunday with victories over the Coventry Blaze and the Nottingham Panthers respectively.
After leading for much of the game thanks to a Michael Jacobsen strike, the Giants were forced to overtime and penalty shots by the Panthers after Jade Galbraith had levelled with less than four minutes remaining. In a game dominated by netminders Kevin St-Pierre and Stephen Murphy, it was Jeff Szwez that netted the game winning goal in the third round of sudden death penalty shots to fire the Giants into the final.
Earlier in the day the Devils progressed somewhat easily over a depleted Coventry side with a 6-3 victory. Brad Cruikshank scored once and league leading scorer Luke Fulghum managed to net twice for the league champion Blaze, however, doubles from Phil Hill and Matt Miller, as well as further goals from Jay Latulippe and Max Birbraer sent the Devils through.
The two victorious sides now face each other in a Sunday final, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 2 at 4pm, for the chance to become EIHL Playoff Champions.
