The Devils are into the Elite League Grand Final after hammering the Belfast Giants 5-0 in the semi-final in Nottingham.

An early Joey Martin goal gave them the lead and they were the better and hungrier team throughout putting the game on ice with four unanswered goals in the second period.

It was a well deserved victory with goaltender Ben Bowns recording a shutout.

Officially the Giants still have one game left - the meaningless 3rd/4th place play-off but their season is over.

This result will not wipe away what was another hugely successful season for the Giants.

Their third league and cup double over the past five seasons to go along with their Grand Slam two years ago.

Nottingham or Sheffield will battle it out for the right to meet Cardiff tomorrow.

Giants get another powerplay but once again fail to create any pressure.

9:35 to go…

That powerplay told you all you needed to know about this game.

Woeful from the Giants who know they are just playing out the season.

The next 17 minutes can’t go quick enough for the men in teal.

Giants have an early man advantage after the Devils fire the puck over the glass and get a delay of game penalty.

Can the Giants salvage anything from this game?

They have not been anywhere close to their best, obviously, and too few players have shown up to play.

The Devils have been the better team, the team that wants this more and they’ve been rewarded, Couple of lucky bounces but you earn them and the Devils have certainly done that.

Twenty minutes to go….

Image source, Press Eye

Superb period from the Devils with four unanswered goals.

Hungrier team.

Giants defensively all at sea. Not sure what Adam Keefe can say to change this.

Image source, Press Eye

Zach O’Brien with a great move to hold off David Goodwin and then takes it around Jackson Whistle.

That is likely that,

Devils back on the powerplay as the frustration grows for the Giants. Mark Cooper takes an interference penalty.

Seconds later and Sanford shoots again and this time the puck hits a retreating Josh Roach and gives Jackson Whistle no chance.

19 seconds between the goals.

Uphill now for the Giants

Devils 1-for-1 on the powerplay.

Shot from Cole Sanford goes in off the stick of Mark Cooper

JJ Piccinich sits for two minutes and the Devils have a big moment in the game to really seize control of this semi-final

Giants 0-for-2 with the man advantage and didn’t really create anything on that second powerplay.

Giants with a big push to try and get on the board.

Huge powerplay coming up for Adam Keefe’s side.

Riley Brandt gets two minutes for high-sticking

Devils get a second goal after a period of pressure that saw Jackson Whistle make three great saves.

He could do nothing when a shot hits a defenceman and bounces to Josh MacDonald who taps the puck into the net.

Devils are good value for the lead.

Image source, Press Eye

Giants begin with half a minute of powerplay time.

They’ll be looking for more from the lines led by PO Morin and Ben Lake.

The Devils fourth line led by Ben Davies has been a thorn in the Giants side.

They play physical and force turnovers.

Second period underway…

Image source, Press Eye

Devils ahead thanks to Joey Martin’s early goal.

They’ve had some good chances to increase their lead while the Giants havn’t seen much offence from anyone other than the top line.

Ben Bowns with two good pad stops on the Giants powerplay which will still have 33 seconds to run at the start of the second period.

Image source, Press Eye

Cole Sanford heads to the box for tripping.

Giants with a later powerplay chance in the first period

Cardiff in the ascendancy as we head into the second half of the first period forcing Jackson Whistle into a number of big saves.

Giants best opportunities coming from the top line led by Scott Conway.

Image source, Press Eye

Giants had started well but just 1:08 into the game a poor change allows Joey Martin to skate in all alone and score with the Devils first shot.

The starting netminders are Jackson Whistle for the Giants and he’s faced by Ben Bowns for the Devils.

Someone’s season ends this afternoon.

The puck is dropped and we are underway…

Image source, Press Eye