Giants open up title race with defeat of Panthers

BELFAST Giants came from behind to beat leaders Nottingham Panthers and keep their Elite League hopes alive on Friday night.

The Giants had lost pace on the leaders Nottingham and second-placed Coventry Blaze but after going behind twice in the Northern Ireland capital, they recovered for a 4-2 win.

David Clarke put the Panthers ahead after Giants' Michael Jacobsen had equalized Sean McAslan's first period strike.

But a second equalizer, just before the end of the second period, from Pierre-Luc Faubert ensured a tense finale.

Finally, goals from Jeff Szwez and Pat Bateman meant the Giants escaped with the points.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Steelers scored their third win in 11 games as they edged past Cardiff Devils 3-2 with an unlikely final period comeback.

Ryan Finnerty put the Devils ahead after just 15 seconds before a sixth minute strike from Phil Hill put the Welsh outfit in control.

But while the Steelers dominated the second period, they couldn't find a way past a determined Devils defence until the last 20 minutes when Scott Basiuk and Joey Talbot restored parity.

And with 11 seconds left on the clock, debutant Mike Sgroi found the net on the powerplay to hand the Steelers the points.