Belfast Giants Clinch 2024/25 Elite League Title in Nottingham

Mike Lee struck his second overtime winner in as many days, as well as scoring in regulation, as the Giants fought back from two goals down to end the regular season with a win as Mark Cooper and Scott Conway also struck in the win.

First Period

The first look of the game went to J.J. Piccinich as he tested Jere Huhtamaa from the right circle, but the netminder gloved it down, and instead, it was the Panthers who forged ahead at 5:29 when Mitchell Fossier had the simple task of slotting in the rebound after Jackson Whistle made an impressive save on Tim Doherty’s shot (1-0).

Huhtamaa made a brilliant double save to deny the top line as the Giants tried to push back. Conway and David Goodwin both denied, and then Cooper’s backhand shot nearly deflected in off Quinn Wichers, but the netminder saved again before it looked like the Giants would be under the cosh when Grant Mismash (high-sticking) and Lee (slashing) penalties put them on the 5-on-3 penalty kill.

But instead of falling further behind, the Giants pulled level as Cooper scored a stunning solo shorthanded goal, skating down the left wing and cutting inside before beating Huhtamaa from a tight angle to tie it up at 13:47 (1-1). However, the Finnish goaltender redeemed himself with a save of the season contender to keep Conway off the board just before the intermission, the netminder making an incredible pad stop on a rebound.

Second Period

The Giants nearly took the lead with their first real chance of the middle frame, as Jordan Kawaguchi drove the net, but the visitors couldn’t force the puck in. Instead, it would be the Panthers who would go ahead, as a pass from the half-boards found Doherty in the slot, and he snapped in the finish at 25:22 (2-1). Then Cooper Zech doubled their advantage at 28:21 when the defenceman finished backhanded on the breakaway (3-1).

Adam Keefe called his timeout after the third goal, and although his side couldn’t immediately respond on a roughing penalty against Jaakko Niskala, Lee would get them back within one at 33:27 when he stepped in from the blue line and picked the top corner from the high slot (3-2).

There were plenty of shots put on Huhtamaa in the final few forays of the second period, but the best chance came to Matt Alfaro, who was found in front and tried to beat Whistle from in tight, but the Giants netminder came up trumps.

Third Period

A strong start to the final period saw Huhtamaa make another impressive glove stop to blank Bobo Carpenter. Still, the better save came from Whistle as Doherty tipped Alfaro’s pass on goal, but the netminder squeezed the pads to keep it out. He made another superb stop to deny Oliver Betteridge on the powerplay as Carpenter was called for interference.

But an Alfaro slashing penalty took it to 4-on-4 and, with it back to even-strength hockey, Conway tied it up at 47:40 as he brought the puck back in front and beat Huhtamaa with the effort (3-3). However, the Giants couldn’t score on the ensuing powerplay with Alfaro off the ice.

The Panthers looked the likelier to score in the final stages as they flooded forward for the winning goal. However, the Giants stood strong, Whistle unbeatable, and when the final buzzer went to ensure the title was won, it sparked celebrations on the bench.

Overtime

The extra period still needed to be played despite the title being won, and it would go the way of the visitors as they survived Alfaro hitting the bar and when the puck went the other way, Piccinich fed Lee for the finish at 61:23 for the game-winner (3-4).

Next up, the Stena Line Belfast Giants head into the Play-Offs where they take on the Dundee Stars in the quarter-finals, with the home leg on Saturday 12 April at The SSE Arena, Belfast. Tickets are available to purchase here.