Belfast Giants closing in on Elite League title

The Belfast Giants face the Nottingham Panthers twice over the weekend as they close in on the Elite League title.

With 12 matches left to play, Paul Adey's Giants need just three victories to regain the crown they won in 2011.

However, if their title rivals drop points, it is possible the Giants could clinch the title as early as Sunday.

The Giants are in action at the National Ice Centre on Saturday at 19:00 GMT and again on Sunday at the same venue at 16:00.

If they win at least one of those games, the Giants could secure the Elite League crown in front of their own fans at the Odyssey Arena when they have a double-header against the Coventry Blaze on 21 and 22 February.

The Giants have lost only five of their 40 games so far in regulation, building up a 20-point gap at the top of the standings.

However, two of those defeats have been in Nottingham, including an 8-3 loss on 3 December.

"I think winning the title has been on the back of our minds all season," said captain Adam Keefe.

"But we just have to do what we have been doing over the past couple of months and that is win the next game in front of us.

"Our job is to put points on the board and then let the numbers sort themselves out."