Belfast Giants beaten by Sheffield Steelers in England

Adam Keefe of the Belfast Giants

Jonathan Phillips struck a late winner for Sheffield Steelers as the Belfast Giants were beaten 2-1 in Sunday night's Elite League clash.

Darryl Lloyd put the Giants ahead after five minutes in Sheffield but the hosts levelled through Stefan Meyer's goal 17 minutes into the first period.

A close encounter was decided five minutes from time when Phillips netted a Steelers winner.

The Giants defeated Sheffield 4-2 in Belfast last weekend.

It was the first game back at the Odyssey for Steelers coach Dough Christiansen, who left the Giants for the Sheffield job in April.

Belfast were without Adam Keefe for Sunday's defeat as he started a four-game ban for charging during Thursday night's Elite League win over the Cardiff Devils.

Keefe also sits out the league visit of Nottingham Panthers next Saturday, Sunday's Challenge Cup game away to Braehead Clan and the Odyssey encounter with Cardiff Devils on 2 November.