Elite League: Steelers seal win over Giants

Daymen Rycroft of the Belfast Giants is denied by Mark Thomas and netminder John DeCaro

The Belfast Giants' five-match winning Elite League run came to an end on Saturday night when they lost 4-1 to title rivals Sheffield Steelers.

The Giants had a couple of five-on-three powerplays but failed to make them count while Steven Goertzen and Jeff Legue scored in the second period.

The Steelers made it 3-0 through Ashley Tait before Daymen Rycroft netted the sole Giants' response with 1.16 left.

The Giants pulled their keeper and Simon Ferguson made it 4-1.

The Steelers team featured Scott Champagne who recently moved from the Giants.

It was a hugely disappointing night for the Giants who on Thursday had moved to within two points of league leaders Nottingham Panthers at the top of the table by beating Braehead Clan 3-2 away.

Belfast are next in action on Friday at home to Dundee Stars and they are at the Odyssey Arena again on Saturday when Coventry Blaze are the visitors.