BELFAST, U.K. – The Coors Belfast Giants continued their winning ways, advancing to the Semi-Finals of the Challenge Cup, and moving into the final eight of the British Knockout Cup.
The Challenge Cup has been a competition which the Giants have not
A rare start for Nathan Craze (Photo by Darran Gilpin)
The British Knockout Cup came into existence for 2005-06, replacing the National Crossover Cup which ran in 2004-05 and saw Elite League teams face of against British National League teams. The Giants won this Cup, winning twelve games, drawing once and one loss in overtime. The Giants entered the Knockout Cup in its inaugural season, but were eliminated by the Coventry Blaze in the semi-finals, with Sheffield Steelers going on to lift the trophy.
The Giants have not entered the Knockout Cup since that season, but with new Coach, Steve Thornton taking over, the team re-entered the competition. As the cup is an eight team tournament, the entrance of the Giants moved the numbers to nine teams, and the League decided they had to playoff to get to the final eight of the competition.
The two-game home and away for the Giants’ qualifier was played in Sheffield against the Steelers. Back-up netminder Nathan Craze was given the opportunity to start in both games, giving number one goalie, Stevie Lyle a well deserved rest. The Saturday night game saw the Giants relinquish a 3-1 lead, to draw 3-3, leaving the Sunday night game with all to play for. The Sunday night game seemed like déjà vu, forfeiting a 6-2 lead, with the Steelers pulling three more back but just couldn’t force overtime and saw the Giants advance with a 9-8 aggregate score, and will now face Coventry Blaze in the next round.
The Giants have got off to a great start to the season, having lost only two games from 20 (12 league, two British Knock Out, two Challenge Cup, two Preseason) and are hoping to continue their form and lift as many trophies as possible. Contact the author at Aaron.stewart@prohockeynews.com
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