No one can argue that the Belfast Giants were the better side over the two games and that was based on their defensive effort and two fabulous performances from goaltender Jackson Whistle.

Daniel Tedesco’s second period goal increased the aggregate lead to two and that proved more than enough against a battling Blaze side that literally didn’t give up to the final second when Danny Kristo scored.

So the Giants have given themselves a chance to defend their Play-offs title.

They’ll face the Cardiff Devils in the semi-finals on Saturday while the Sheffield Steelers are more than likely going to take on the Guildford Flames.

The finals weekend in Nottingham is always a great way to end the season.

See you on Saturday….

`Danny Kristo scores with less than a second remaining. Too little, too late.

A lot of pushing and shoving and it’s Giants David Goodwin who steps in and tells his team mates to cool down.

Jackson Whistle gets the man of the match award.

The Blaze are huffing and puffing but Jackson Whistle is refusing to have his house blown down.

It’s getting late for the home side.

Nine seconds later Mark Cooper is called for slashing so it’s 4-on-4 hockey.

Will that make a difference?

Giants simply wearing the Blaze down.

A tripping call after a long shift on the ice for Kobe Roth.

Giants have been extremely good defensively through five+ periods of this tie and they aren’t allowing the Blaze to build any sort of momentum.

Fourteen minutes left and the Giants are keeping it simple.

Right now there is twenty minutes remaining in the Blaze season. They need at least two goals to get this game to overtime.

They’ve had so many good looks but Jackson Whistle has been superb for the Giants.

One more goal for the Giants and that is likely the ballgame.

Jackson Whistle makes another big stop to deny Jonny Curran but along with the netminder Josh Roach has been huge for the Giants.

He has out his body on the line to block a number of shots.

Blaze have no choice but to leave it all in the ice in the final twenty minutes - they trail by two.

All the players on the ice pick a partner (except for the goalies).

Big melee in front of the Coventry net. Original penalty call was going to be on the Giants.

Ends up two penalties called each and we play 5-on-5 hockey

Ben Lake blasts over the bar and Ara Nazarian hits the post but no further score for the Giants but they have the momentum.

Just when the Blaze were looking likely to score up pops Daniel Tedesco to put the Giants in front on the night and 3-1 on aggregate

A couple of big offensive shifts from the home side.

Jackson Whistle with a huge save on Ian McNulty

The Giants absolutely mess up a 3-on-1 breakaway so badly they don’t even get a shot away.

It was an exciting first period and although it’s the obvious cliché the first goal in this game could be crucial.

It’s either a tie on aggregate or a two-goal lead for the Giants which would force the Blaze to really open up and that will be to the Giants benefit.

Off we go again…

Blaze still on the powerplay to start the period

Plenty of action in the first period and both sides have had great chances.

Shorthanded with just a few seconds remaining in the period Mark Cooper had a breakaway but Taran Kozun held his ground to make the save.

Blaze don’t capitalise on their first powerplay but they’re going to get a second with 40 seconds left in the period.

The Giants had a couple of good looks including a one-timer from Ara Nazarian but Taran Kozun denied the visitors on the game’s first powerplay.

The Giants turnover the puck and it leads to an odd man rush for the Blaze and Jonny Curran’s effort forces a big pad save from Jackson Whistle.

Travis Brown’s shot from the left point through a screen beats Taran Kozun but not the post.

Closest we’ve come to the opening goal of the game.

Just past the halfway point of the period.

End-to-end they go in the opening stages.

High tempo, much more intensity and physicality than the first leg.

Both sides are going to empty the tank tonight.