EHL: Devils lead semi
Cardiff take upper hand ahead of second-leg showdown in Belfast
Last Updated: January 26, 2012 10:12am
Gerad Adams gave Cardiff Devils the upper hand against Belfast Giants heading into the Challenge Cup semi-final second leg.
The Devils player-coach struck early in the final period to ensure his side hold a slender 2-1 advantage going into the decider at the Odyssey Arena on February 4.
The home side hit the front in the opening ten minutes at the Cardiff Ice Arena when Phil Hill slotted home his 19th goal of the season.
Elite League leaders Giants attempted to turn the tables in the second period as they went on the attack, testing Devils goaltender Stevie Lyle on 15 occasions, but to no avail.
Devils continued to battle in the final period and were rewarded early on when Adams fired into the Giants nets to double the Welsh side's advantage.
However, the tie was kept alive when Robert Dowd took his season tally to 19, giving a resilient Giants something to take home for the return fixture.
The Giants ended the match stronger but failed to convert another chance leaving the semi-final perfectly placed for second-leg showdown in Belfast.
