Giants hold their nerve in shoot-out thriller

BELFAST Giants clinched victory in a dramatic shoot-out to end Cardiff Devils' dreams of play-off final success.

The Giants, who finished second in the league standings behind Coventry Blaze, came through on penalties to become play-off champions after ending the season only one point off the Blaze.

The shoot-out specialists from Northern Ireland had reached the final after overcoming Nottingham Panthers in a penalty competition while the Devils had stunned the Blaze 6-3 to book their final place.

In a closely-fought game the Giants took the lead after Brandon Benedict tipped in Tom Walsh's shot from left point before George Awada doubled their lead.

But the Devils, who came fourth in the league, responded quickly as Max Birbrarer notched up two goals in 26 seconds to level the scores.

The Giants, who were last year's Challenge Cup winners, pushed hard for the winner but Stevie Lyle was in great form in the Devils' goal and the game finished 2-2 in normal time.

Overtime was scoreless and perhaps fittingly the final went to penalty shots where it was Cheverie who netted the winner with the eighth attempt.