Belfast Giants 3 - 2 Cardiff Devils

Faceoff: 19:00 - 30/12/11

Having lost to their Scottish Celtic cousins Braehead on Tuesday, Belfast were back on home ice this time against their Welsh Celtic cousins Cardiff Devils. There was no repeat of the loss on Tuesday as the Giants won by the odd goal in five. This defeat ended the Devils recent run of five straight wins.

Cardiff got off to the best possible start as Stuart MacRae put them in front with only 11 seconds on the clock. Despite getting a couple of powerplay opportunities the Devils were unable to add to that early strike and went in at the first break a goal ahead.

Both teams were creating chances in the second session, however both goaltenderes were giving nothing away and the Devils remained a goal in front. With the period coming to an end the Giants got back on level terms as Craig Peacock netted at 38.34.

The Devils restored their lead early in the third period as Scott Dobben netted at 42.21. They failed to hold onto this lead for very long as at 46.44 the Giants scored on the powerplay as Peacock struck home his second goal of the game. Another powerplay goal from the home side at 53.03 from Robert Dowd turned out to be the game winning goal.

Period Scores: 0-1, 1-0, 2-1

Penalty Mins: Bel 6 - Car 8

Powerplay: Bel 2/4 - Car 0/3

Shots On: Stephen Murphy 19 / Stevie Lyle 31

Referee