Cardiff Devils 2 - 1 Belfast Giants

Faceoff: 19:30 - 25/01/12

Cardiff Devils will take a slender but deserved one goal lead into the Challenge Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg thanks to a 2-1 win over the Belfast Giants.

With the home fans redding out the rink and creating a fantastic atmosphere, the game was physical and end to end with both netminders putting in stand-out performances.

Cardiff started the better of the two teams and dominated long spells of the first period whilst Belfast looked to hit their hosts on the break. An early hooking penalty on Paul Deniset gave the Devils a powerplay chance which they quickly took advantage of. Stuart MacRae carried the puck into the Belfast zone before dropping it back to Phil Hill who rifled in a first time shot through Stephen Murphy’s five-hole.

Having been second best for the opening twenty minutes, Belfast improved greatly after the break and Stevie Lyle was forced into several fantastic saves to preserve the Cardiff lead.

The Devils nearly extended their lead at the start of the third period with two great chances. First Kenton Smith looked destined to score before Murphy pulled off a fantastic save, and then when Scott Matzka did beat the Belfast netminder the puck bounced back off the post to safety.

Moments later though Cardiff did extend their lead. As he crossed the blueline, Gerad Adams took a speculative shot from distance that deflected off the Belfast defenceman’s skate and looped over Murphy into the net.

An interference call on Jamie Vanderveeken gave Belfast a powerplay opportunity of their own and when the puck was worked back to Robert Dowd on the blueline, he fired in a shot just inside the post that Lyle had no chance with.

The goal lifted the Giants and as they pushed forward looking for an equaliser they were given a great chance with a 5-on-3 powerplay. Once again though Lyle and his defence blocked everything that Belfast fired at them and the Devils deservedly hung on for the one goal lead.