Sheffield have been the better team since going behind and now have a powerplay chance - the first of the game - 5 minutes left in period

Eight minutes gone and Giants take the lead. Josh Roach gets the shot away, Matthew Greenfield makes the pad save but the loose puck is tracked down by Lewis Hook who buries it through a crowd. Terrific start, every loose puck being contested, crowd into this one from he start.

Image source, Press Eye

Raucous sell-out crowd, big Steelers following, two of the top teams going at it in the first of a huge doubleheader - LET THE GAME BEGIN

For the third time all 10 Elite League teams have been taking part in the EIHL's Pride Week, an initiative first started in 2020.

Image source, BBC Sport

Belfast Giants

G Jackson Whistle D Gabe Bast D Sam Ruopp RW Mark Cooper C Scott Conway LW David Goodwin

Sheffield Steelers

G Matthew Greenfield D Kevin Schulze D David Phillips LW Daniel Ciampini C Scott Allen RW Brett Neumann

Image source, BBC Sport

Welcome to the SSE Arena in Belfast.

It doesn't get any bigger than this. The business end of the season and a 4-team race for the Elite League title with twenty games to go and a doubleheader between the Giants and Steelers.

Three points separate them in the standings with the Steelers in second and Giants in fourth and the Devils in between.

The Guildford Flames remain in top spot three points ahead of Sheffield.

The two sides have met only twice so far this season splitting a doubleheader in Sheffield back in November which means there are four massive head-to-head encounters left starting tonight.

Buckle up - it's a great weekend of hockey in front of two expected sell-out crowds and a big travelling support here in Belfast.

Image source, Press Eye