Belfast Giants loss puts title bid in precarious position
The title race has been blown wide open after the Belfast Giants lost to Manchester Storm in a crucial game which could have helped seal the league title.A comprehensive 9-1 win against Fife Flyers on Saturday evening was followed by a disappointing 5-1 loss against the Storm the following afternoon.The Giants still sit at the top of the league by one point but it will all come down to the final weekend as their closest rivals, Sheffield Steelers now sit just one point adrift.Adam Keefe’s side will face Nottingham Panthers in next weekend’s home and away title deciding double header.Presseye Ltd, Belfast, Northern Ireland -29th March 2025 : Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
Belfast Giants' Elijiah Barriga celebrates scoring against the Fife Flyers during Saturday night’s Elite Ice Hockey League game at the SSE Arena, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye The Panther’s own chances of clinching the league title has been damaged following a loss to Guildford Flames, however they still present a formidable challenge to the men in teal with everything still to play for.The Giants had a chance to claim the league title on Sunday afternoon however Manchester Storm, who were battling for a play-off place, threw a major spanner in the works.Sheffield Steelers also secured comfortable wins over Fife and Dundee meaning that the title race will go down to the wire.Saturday night’s game never looked in doubt for the Giants, with Bobo Carpenter striking a hat-trick for the hosts accompanied by a brace from Scott Conway and strikes from Ben Lake, Jeff Baum, Pierre-Olivier Morin, and Elijiah Barriga, which was enough for the Giants to claim the two points.The stage was set for a potential celebration on home ice the following afternoon but Keefe’s side were put to the sword by Manchester who very much deserved their win.The hosts were blown away for much of the game having got off to a terrible start, with Alexis D’Aoust opening goal for the visitors coming after only 27 seconds.A David Goodwin strike tied the game in the first period but it would prove to be the Giants’ only goal of the game.Manchester looked the hungrier of the two sides, winning most of the puck battles and Keefe’s side struggled to match the English side’s physicality.Several defensive breakdowns and a lacklustre display meant that the Giants always looked in danger of conceding.Indeed, D’Aoust went on to secure a hat-trick and Tyler Hinam and Craig Martin also notched goals to make it comfortable for the visitors.It was a worrying performance for the Giants who have struggled to maintain momentum in the home stretch of this campaign.Having taken just two points from their penultimate weekend, the Giants go into the final weekend with just a one point lead in the standings, setting up a dramatic finale.The destination of the league title is still in the Giants’ hands, however it is now likely that two wins will be needed against a motivated and in-form Panthers side.An exciting final weekend is in store with a home clash against Nottingham on Saturday followed by the potential title deciding return fixture on Sunday at the Motorpoint Arena.
