Giants in final after 13-goal thriller
They will now face the Cardiff Devils in March showpiece
Last updated 8th Feb 2018
Belfast Giants are through to the final of the Challenge Cup after a 13-goal fest at the SSE Arenea last night.
Adam Keefe’s side beat the Nottingham Panthers 7-6 on the night – 12-7 on aggregate.
They will now meet holders and elite league leaders, Cardiff Devils, in the final.
In an interview with Downtown & Cool FM, Keefe said he was delighted that they got there in the end but that it will be tough against the Welsh team.
“Honestly happy to move on and get to the final – I think it is the first time in three or four years this has happened,” he said.
“Obviously we are now playing Cardiff in Cardiff – not ideal with them having home advantage but it’s a hockey game!”
The final takes place on March 4.
Two goals each from Sebastien Sylvestre, Blair Riley and Jonathan Ferland plus a final period strike from Colin Shields gave the Giants a place in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final.
The Nottingham Panthers got off to the best possible start when David Clarke opened the scoring – but Sebastien Sylvestre equalised for the home side before Blair Riley edged the Giants in front on the powerplay.
Mike Vaskivuo levelled on the night for the Panthers at, assisted by Yann Sauve, with David Clarke giving the away side a 3-2 lead, assisted by Mark Derlago and Tim Billingsley.
Zack Phillips struck on the powerplay to give the Nottingham side a two goal advantage on the night. Brett Perlini made it a one-goal game on aggregate with the Panthers fifth goal of the game at assisted by Alexander Mokshantsev.
Keefe then called a timeout to allow his side to regroup and the Giants responded right away. First, Blair Riley fired home from close range, assisted by David Rutherford, at 37:33.
Sebastien Sylvestre netted his second of the game four seconds from the end of the middle period, deflecting Colin Shields’ shot into the Nottingham net.
Jonathan Ferland guaranteed the Giants a place in the final with two shorthanded empty net goals inside 59 seconds with the Nottingham Panthers pulling their nerminder in favour of the extra out-skater while on the powerplay.