Elite League round-up: Hat-trick heroes keep Giants in the race

Belfast Giants kept their Elite League title hopes alive with a four point weekend from their home double-header against Nottingham Panthers.

Colin Shields bagged a hat-trick as the Giants won 7-3 on Friday, while David Rutherford (above) matched the feat in a 5-2 success on Sunday.

Joey Haddad (2) led the scoring for Cardiff in their 4-1 home victory over Dundee Stars, but the Devils were out of luck at Sheffield as the Steelers recorded a 6-2 victory.

The Devils now hold a five point lead over the Giants with four games to play.

The result completed an excellent weekend for the Steelers who also won 3-2 at Braehead Clan – Robert Dowd scored four over the weekend.

Carlo Finucci’s overtime strike secured a 4-3 success for Fife at Coventry Blaze and the Flyers followed up with a 5-4 victory at Edinburgh Capitals to seal their place in the play-offs.

Darian Dziurzynski hit a hat-trick for Manchester Storm in their 4-0 home win against Edinburgh, but their play-off hopes were dealt a blow as they fell 4-2 at Dundee.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Friday

Belfast Giants 7-3 Nottingham Panthers

Saturday

Braehead Clan 2-3 Sheffield Steelers
Cardiff Devils 4-1 Dundee Stars
Coventry Blaze 3-4 Fife Flyers (OT)
Manchester Storm 4-0 Edinburgh Capitals

Sunday

Belfast Giants 5-2 Nottingham Panthers
Dundee Stars 4-2 Manchester Storm
Edinburgh Capitals 4-5 Fife Flyers
Sheffield Steelers 6-2 Cardiff Devils

(Image permission: Press Eye)