EIHL: Champions Belfast secure back-to-back win over Coventry

Elite League champions Belfast Giants extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches in all-competitions thanks to a 3-1 victory over Coventry Blaze on Saturday.

With over 6,000 supporters packed in at the Odyssey Arena to see the newly crowned champions in action, they required a late show in a feisty contest to see them record back-to-back wins against their opponents from the Midlands.
Kevin Saurette handed the Giants an early lead after only 3.01 on the clock but Nejc Berlisk restored parity for Blaze just 57 seconds after the re-start.
The visitors' frustrations boiled over after Even Cheverie edged Belfast ahead on the powerplay.
Cale Tanaka had already gone before skipper Ashley Tait was ejected for abuse, as was new coach Marc Lefebvre.
Jeffrey Szwez killed off any resistance from Coventry when he added a third into the empty net with 15 seconds remaining after goaltender Mike Zacharias was pulled out for the extra skater.

Steelers move clear

In the day's other games, Sheffield Steelers moved two points clear in second place after securing their first win on the road in six matches with a 6-3 win over Braehead Clan.
Braehead made an electric start with Matt Towe and Ed McGrane slotting home early on before Chris Blight and Robert Dowd tied the game, but McGrane slammed in his second of the game to edge Clan ahead.
However, the visitors came storming back thanks to a second from Dowd and Blight with Jeff Legue adding the gloss on a fine comeback victory.
The Fife Flyers made it four straight wins to surge towards a possible play-off spot as they edged Edinburgh Capitals 3-2 while Nottingham Panthers defeated Dundee Stars 2-0 with Lynn Loyns and Robert Farmer on target.