ELITE LEAGUE ICE HOCKEY:

First semi-final

Belfast Giants 3 Cardiff Devils 4 (after overtime and penalties).

Cardiff Devils booked a place in their third consecutive Elite League Playoff Fiinal after a thrilling penalty shootout win against Belfast Giants.

In a tight first period, it was Devils who struck first with a goal from Scott Matzka after just two and a half minutes, but Giants were level four minutes later when Jeremy Rebek grabbed an equaliser.

Cardiff took the lead again on 35 minutes through Scott Dobben, and looked to have the game sewn up when Luke Piggott struck a third nine minutes from the end.

But Giants exerted immense pressure and two quick goals, from Aaron Clarke on 55 minutes and Mike Hoffman on 58 minutes, took the game to overtime.

With no goals in overtime, it fell to penalties, and after Kenton Smith scored for Cardiff, Devils goalie Stevie Lyle saved all three shots from the Giants to claim Devils' place in the final.

Devils' player coach Gerad Adams said: "We concentrated on getting the bounces and we did the little things right. When Belfast grabbed their third, we were probably the only ones out there who still thought we could win, and the belief was right."

Belfast Giants coach Doug Christiansen said:"They did well the things that we have been doing right all year, but when it comes to overtime and penalties, anything can happen. It will hurt for a while, but I am proud of the players and what they have achieved this season."