Belfast Giants hammer Coventry to near semis

BELFAST GIANTS put one foot in the Knockout Cup semi-finals with a convincing 5-1 victory over Coventry Blaze.

The Giants ran riot at the Dundonald Ice Bowl and now take a four-goal cushion into Wednesday night's second leg.

Evan Cheverie netted twice for the hosts while Paul Deniset, Steve Thornton and Mike Burgoyne rounded off the victory.

Cheverie took just 11 minutes to get off the mark when he broke the deadlock on the powerplay to put Belfast in command.

But the Giants had to wait until the second period to double their lead when Deniset tapped in from close range.

Player-coach Thornton was leading by example and put the game beyond Blaze after 26 minutes during another powerplay for the Giants.

Burgoyne bagged his eighth goal of the season before Cheverie put the final nail in the Coventry coffin with his 19^th strike of the season.

Dan Carlson salvaged a late consolation but Coventry face an uphill task to prolong theior Knockout Cup campaign at the Coventry Skydome.

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NICK CLOWES