Summary

  • First period goals from David Goodwin, Donovan Neuls and Steven Owre see Belfast Giants race into 3-0 lead

  • Matthew McLeod increased the Giants lead to 4-0 in the second period

  • Jonas Emmerdahl and Janne Kivilahti score for the Flyers in the second period to make it 4-2

  • Ben Lake restores the Giants' three goal lead with the home side's fifth as they lead 5-2 at the end of the second period

  • Goals from Flyers' Janne Laakkonen and Giants' Ciaran Long inside the opening minute of the third period moved score to 6-3

  • Mark Cooper and Grant Cooper added two more goals in the third period to increase the Giants lead to 8-3

  • David Gilbert scored the home side's ninth of the game to make it 9-3

Live Reporting

  1. GIANTS LIFT THE CHALLENGE CUP

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  2. ADAM KEEFE POST-MATCH REACTION

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  3. GIANTS SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND CHALLENGE CUP

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers

    What a thriller it was tonight in Belfast.

    The Giants raced in to a 3-0 lead in the first period and looked to have it all sealed up with a fourth goal at the start of the second period.

    But the visitors from Scotland gave them a run for their money, bringing the scoreline to 4-2 before a late Ben Lake goal with 14 seconds remaining in the second period saw the Giants restore their three-goal lead.

    Two flash goals for either side at the start of the final period had everyone hoping for a grandstand finale but truth be told, the Giants found another gear and marched on to a convincing victory.

    Attention now turns to the league and going one better than last year by winning the play-offs.

    Thank you for joining us this evening.

    We'll have more reaction later on the BBC Sport website and our social channels.

    Bye for now!

  4. MORE SUCCES TO COME?

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers

    Will this be the end of the Giants silverware in 2023?

    12 months ago they picked up this very trophy before winning the league championship.

    Cardiff denied them a treble in the play-off final but could this be the year Adam Keefe and the Giants complete a clean sweep?

  5. RAINE BACK ON THE ICE

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers

    The biggest cheer of the celebrations is reserved for former player Kevin Raine as he gets his hands on the trophy and salutes the crowds here in Belfast.

    The Canadian had to retire from ice hockey in December on medical grounds and is definitely a cult hero in these parts.

  6. FIFE DO THEMSELVES PROUD

    This was a big night for Fife and their supporters and they didn't let themselves down. It was a spirited performance and in the second period they had the crowd a little nervous.

    It as a first cup final showing the depth in the league and hopefully their fans enjoyed the occasion.

    They must now focus on securing a play-off place

  7. PARTY TIME

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers

    It's celebration time in Belfast tonight.

    The Giants players are getting huge cheers as they take it one by one in parading the Challenge Cup around the arena.

  8. ANOTHER TROPHY FOR ADAM KEEFE

    This is the 4th Challenge Cup in the reign of Adam Keefe as Head Coach of the Giants to go with two Elite League titles.

    His side also have a four-point lead in the championship race with 10 games to go so the Giants are on the verge of a famous triple-double

  9. BELFAST GIANTS WIN THE CHALLENGE CUP

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers (FT)

    In the end the game went to form.

    The Belfast Giants are the current Elite League leaders and had a perfect 8-0 record against Fife this year.

    The Flyers were good for forty minutes but the Giants have the depth and skill.

    There were little momentum shifts but the Giants deserve to be the champions again for the fourth time in six years.

  10. GIANTS WIN CHALLENGE CUP

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers (FT)

    THEY'VE DONE IT!

  11. GOAL! GIANTS ADD TO LEAD THROUGH GILBERT

    Belfast Giants 9-3 Fife Flyers

    David Gilbert gets in on the scoring with a wrap around to make it 9-3.

    The party in Belfast is well and truly underway!

  12. GOAL! GRANT COOPER MAKES IT EIGHT FOR GIANTS

    Belfast Giants 8-3 Fife Flyers

    Giants finishing with a flourish as Grant Cooper's little wrister from the blueline through a screen beats Shane Owen

  13. FOLEY AND SANDSTROM DROP THE GLOVES

    Belfast Giants 7-3 Fife Flyers

    Matt Foley and Lucas Sandstrom tussle in front of the net and then drop the gloves. No clear winner, both go to the penalty box - 8 minutes to go

  14. GOAL! COOPER MAKES IT 7 - DOES THAT SEAL THE CUP FOR GIANTS?

    Belfast Giants 7-3 Fife Flyers

    We're not even five minutes into the final period and the Giants have another goal!

    It's come from Mark Cooper with another one-time blast past Shane Owen.

  15. GOAL! LONG'S ONE-TIMER AS GIANTS RESPOND

    Belfast Giants 6-3 Fife Flyers

    Straight up the ice and Ciaran Long thumps home a one-timer from the left circle and it's 6-3.

    It's raining goals, it's entertaining and the Giants are keeping that lead.

    Ciaran Long after scoringPress Eye

    Ciaran Long after scoring

  16. GOAL! DISASTER FOR BESKOROWANY

    Belfast Giants 5-3 Fife Flyers

    Perfect start for the Fife Flyers as they do get that powerplay goal.

    Under no pressure Tyler Beskorowany fields the puck behind his own net, has time, loses control and Janne Lakkonnen taps the puck in

  17. BIG FINAL PERIOD UNDERWAY - TROPHY AT STAKE

    Belfast Giants 5-2 Fife Flyers

    Fife begin the final period on the powerplay - 1:34 remaining - and they need to cancel that shorthanded goal for the Giants out quickly.

    Job not done yet for Giants - only takes a second to score and we've seen leads like this vanish before.

    20 minutes left to decide the Challenge Cup Champions - HERE WE GOOOOO!

  18. GIANTS LEAD BUT ALL TO PLAY FOR

    Belfast Giants 5-2 Fife Flyers

    Well the Fife Flyers were just a few seconds away from what was an excellent period. They had closed the gap to 2 goals and were on the powerrplay but that late goal for Ben Lake has given the Giants a little breathing room but it wasn't a good 20 minutes for the home team and they know there is still work to be done

  19. GOAL! SECOND SHORTY FOR GIANTS AS LAKE SCORES

    Belfast Giants 5-2 Fife Flyers

    Wow - what a change of momentum!

    Fife on the powerplay and Mark Cooper and Ben Lake lead an odd man rush shorthanded and Lake scores to ease some nerves only 14 seconds from the end of the period

    Ben Lake celebrates scoring for the Belfast GiantsPress Eye

    Ben Lake celebrates scoring for the Belfast Giants

  20. GOAL! FLYERS RIGHT BACK IN GAME

    Belfast Giants 4-2 Fife Flyers

    The Flyers, who have outplayed the Giants in the second period, are right back in the game after Janne Kivilahti scored right in front of Beskorowany from Chris Lawrence's pass.