Belfast Giants exit Challenge Cup after heavy defeat at home to Cardiff

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Cardiff Devils players celebrate during their semi-final second-leg victory at the SSE Arena

Belfast Giants are out of ice hockey's Challenge Cup after a 5-1 defeat at home to Cardiff Devils

It was the second leg of the semi-finals, with the Belfast side having beaten their opponents 5-4 in the first.

 

The visitors took the early lead, when Patrick Borderleau deflected Mark Richardson's shot into the Giants net in the first period.

There was a confrontation between Adam Keefe and Borderleau later in the period when the goalscorer hit on Jonathan Boxill.

The Devils man was given a Game Misconduct by the referee due to the hit.

The away team then took a 6-5 aggregate advantage with a Mark Louis score before the end of the opening session.

The then picked up a second at 31:14, when he stick handled  through the Giants zone with a cool finish.

Things went from bad to worse for the Belfast men when Chris Jones hammered the puck into he roof of the Belfast net, assisted by Joey Haddad at 34:21.

Score now was 4-0 on the night.

Stephen Murphy came into the Giants net for Jackson Whistle, and then Chris Higgins finally opened their account at 36:15.

 

With the Giants piling on the pressure during the final period, the Devils struck a decisive blow when Joey Martin scored on a breakaway at 52:39. 

Giants player-coach Derrick Walser says they weren't clinical enough.

It was forward Colin Shields' five hundredth appearance for the Giants.

He says their opponents should be given credit for the way they played.

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