Sheffield Steelers 1-7 Belfast Giants

Sheffield without Mike Peron.

3300 saw exactly why Belfast have one hand on the championship trophy as they coasted to an easy win, led by Cuis Huppe's 2+3. This was Steelers' 5th successive loss and since Mark Dutiaume's penalty shot winner in overtime down at Basingstoke on 29 Jan, they have recorded just 2 draws in their last 12 outings.

Sheffield came out faster than two nights ago at home to Newcastle, but Belfast were faster still and deadly in their shooting. Giants posted 3 goals from 9 first period shots which was enough to see off starting goalie Jody Lehman. Colin Shields was left alone on the edge of the crease to start the rout (3:47).

Lehman made a triple stop 4 minutes later as Shields fired in, then Shane Johnson with George Awada completing the shoot-on-sight first-time policy.

Mike Minard turned aside shots from Jason Hewitt and Rod Sarich whilst Jason Bowen served the night's first penalty. Another save from Ron Shudra was required before Shudra gave Belfast their first powerplay of the night. Giants took their time finding a good opening but scored on their first attempt, Bowen firing home from Awada's right wing pass (11:23).

Just 40 seconds later Curtis Huppe broke down the left and fired past Lehman, and backup Davey Lawrence found himself taking over in goal.

Giants didn't get another shot that period as Minard stood tall denying Martin Masa, Sarich and Dutiaume. Just before the first interval Sarich set-up Shudra for a trade-mark rocket but Minard was not to be beaten.

Giants took a too many men penalty early in the second and Sheffield bagged their only goal of the night. Stefan Sjogren found Masa close-in and although Minard saved that one, the puck fell to Shudra who lifted the puck home (24:15).

Belfast gave-up further powerplay opportunities as Sheffield went 5-on-3 for 28 seconds as Awada's cross-check saw him join Leigh Jamieson (hooking) in the box. Only Dutiaume tested Minard.

Kent Simpson tried a left post wrap-around and Masa was stoned at point-blank range before Giants gave a lesson in how to finish. Huppe's pass from the right found Ed Courtenay in acres of space and he had the experience to wait before picking his spot (35:09).

A harsh holding penalty on Simpson was punished by the Giants, Kelman netting from the right (38:41).

An early final period penalty to Dutiaume gave Giants their third powerplay goal from three attempts, Theo Fleury firing home from distance with Lawrence unsighted (43:35).

Another 4 minutes and Giants completed the scoring, Huppe netting after Fleury won his face-off on the right (47:26).

Shudra kept making Minard work but the impressive Giants goalie never looked like being beaten again.