Giants beat Flames to win third title in a row

It was a terrific championship race this season that up until almost the very end involved four teams.

It wasn't an easy season for Giants Head Coach Adam Keefe and Head of Hockey Operations Steve Thornton. A number of their summer signings didn't work out and they had to retool at mid season.

They started with Tyler Beskorowany - a proven winner with the Giants he came out of semi-retirement to give the Giants the goaltending they needed.

Donovan Neuls, Grant Cooper, Matty McLeod, Henrik Eriksson and Josh Roach all arrived and the Giants found their identity and a winning streak when it mattered the most.

They were led by the offence from Scott Conway who set a new Giants goals scoring record for the Elite League, David Goodwin, Mark Cooper, Ben Lake and Steve Owre and from the blueline by Gabe Bast, Sam Ruopp, Jeff Baum, Matt Foley, Will Cullen and Mark Garside.

This was a total team effort...for the third year in a row they've won the league and cup double.

They've never won the treble and Grand Slam and the play-offs start next week.

But that's for another day...this is about celebrating another title for the players, organisation, fans, city and for Northern Ireland.

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Giants get a sixth on the powerplay from Steve Owre. Just over 2 minutes to go and the party in the seats is in full swing.

No further scoring in the third period so far but with the 5-1 lead the Giants aren't bothered. They are 9 minutes away from the title and the party is beginning to get going in Belfast

Can the Flames mount what would be a comeback for the ages?

The Giants are so close to a third Elite League title in a row and sixth overall.

Here we go...

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It's a raucous crowd in full party mode as the second period comes to an end.

Giants have been the better team and deserve their lead while the Flames, despite scoring own the powerplay, haven't created enough.

One period to go...Giants are almost there

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The Giants are rolling towards the title. Matt McLeod outweights Eamon McAdam and plants the puck into the top corner

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The crowd erupts as Ben Lake and Brett Ferguson drop the gloves and Lake lands a number of big rights and gets the takedown.

What a shift from Henrik Eriksson. He's annoyed, makes two big hits that help turn the puck over and then with the deftest of touches in front of net converts the pass from Scott Conway

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Giants strike right back to restore two-goal lead as Henrik Eriksson with a super back hand finish high into the net

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Flames make the most of the powerplay and Peter Crinella scores to pull his side within a goal.

Flames have hit the post and now have the opportunity with a powerplay chance to get back into the game.

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Big period for Guildford coming up - they need to win remember and they've been in a lot of tight games this season and come out on top.

But that means taking chances and the Giants will be looking to increase their lead.

Jeff Baum doesn't score many goals. This one was a beauty from the slot as he doubles the Giants lead with 2:25 to go in the first period. Flames are rattled after the quick double strike.

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The deadlock is broken and it's Ben Lake who scores. The puck is kept in the offensive zone by Sam Ruopp. the Flames claim a hand pass but play is waved on and Lake picks the puck up and skates into the slot and backhands it into the roof of the net.

No review - Goal stands - 4:34 to go first period

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It's been a tense start to the game with so much on the line. Matty McLeod's speed causing the Flames some issues and he almost went coast-to-coast denied only by a save from Eamon McAdam.

The Giants with the better start but no early breakthrough - playing 4-on-4 hockey after offsetting penalty calls

OFF WE GO!!!!

Strap yourselves in because this could be quite the rollercoaster ride tonight.

One of these two sides are going to be crowned Elite League champions...

GIANTS

G Tyler Beskorowany D Gabe Bast D Sam Ruopp RW Steve Owre C Scott Conway LW David Goodwin

FLAMES

G Eamon McAdam D Ben O'Connor G Mike Crocock RW Ryan Tait C Robert Lachowicz LW Daniel Tedesco

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