Devils Edge Giants In Challenge Cup Semi Final First Leg

Posted on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 11:27 am

The predictions were that the Challenge Cup semi-final tie between Devils and Giants would most likely go all the way to the final minutes of the 2nd leg and after Devils edged the opening leg by the odd goal in three it’s clear that this one is going to plan.

It was a strike by Devils player/coach Gerad Adams in the 46th minute – only his 3rd of the season – that saw Devils take the slenderest of advantages into the Odyssey Arena on February 4th and it’s therefore still all to play for.

It had been Devils who had the better of the play in the opening period and they went ahead at 8.06 on the powerplay with Phil Hill firing in his 19th goal of the season. Chances at either end after that but that counted as the only light on the scoreboard after the first session ended.

Giants reversed the trend in the 2nd period and outshot their hosts by 15 to 9 but could find no way through a solid home defence marshalled well by GB goaltender Stevie Lyle.

When Adams scored at 45.02 to see Devils 2-0 ahead it was looking good for the Welsh side but resilient Giants did not panic and at 49.04 pulled themselves right back into the tie when Robert Dowd scored on the powerplay for his 19th of the season.

Giants were finishing the stronger but there was to be no addition to the score, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the return in Belfast.