Giants win and take a massive two points and almost certainly end any hope the Devils had of winning the Elite League - the gap between the two sides is 8 points with five games left.

With Guildford winning and Sheffield on their way to beating Nottingham the Giants lead at the top remains five points with the two chasers playing each other on Sunday while the Giants and Devils meet again.

We'll be back for the puck drop at 4pm on Sunday.

I'll leave you with a picture of Scott Conway scoring his 51st goal of the season...

Image source, Press Eye

It's the Devils who score to give themselves life and it's a well worked goal.

Trevor Cox makes a move and sets the puck on a plate for Cole Sanford to score.

Still time for Cardiff - 6.30 left

Image source, Press Eye

No Cardiff comeback as Giants defensively have been very good and they look the most likely to score next - 10.46 left in the game

Huge 20 minutes coming up - Cardiff can't really afford to lose with Guildford winning and Sheffield leading - they have to attack.

Giants can't sit back - they need a win to keep a five-point lead at the top.

Here we go.....

Image source, Press Eye

How big will that late goal from Scott Conway be? Devils will be wondering how they are three goals down in this game after dominating most of the middle period but they can't find a way past Tyler Beskorowany and the Giants have worked tirelessly in defence to block shots and get in shooting lanes.

Guildford have already won, 5-4 over Glasgow, so the Giants know they need a big final period to maintain that five point lead at the top.

Image source, Press Eye

Scott Conway with a snipers finish from the left circle. First shot blocked, second finds the top corner...

Image source, Press Eye

Outlet pass from Matt Foley to the stick of Henrik Eriksson who backhands it at goal. Ben Bowns makes the save but the puck lies there beside his pad and Ciaran Long prods it in. Video review by officials to see if Bowns had iced the puck or if Long had pushed the goalies pad - decision no goal - big moment in game

Cardiff the better team in the second period with a number of good chances but as he always seems to do Tyler Beskorowany is coming up with the answers....so far

11:24 to go in the second period

Cardiff with an early powerplay in the second period.

Apologies for lack off updates - connection issues in arena....

It's the quick double strike for the Giants as Mark Cooper doubles the advantage - didn't get all of the shot but got enough to get the puck past Ben Bowns.

Image source, Press Eye

Ben Bowns makes big stop on a Giants 3-on-1 breakout but Steve Owre retrieves puck and sets up Scott Conway to score

Image source, Press Eye

Both teams want the points tonight, that's for sure. Ben Bowns denies Steve Owre with a right pad save and then Joey Martin from a Giants turnover forces Tyler Beskorowany into a big save.

Devils bringing the physical play as well....11:41 to play in 1st period

Image source, Press Eye

The game is underway - doubleheaders between Belfast and Cardiff at this stage of the season have been notoriously decisive in who wins the Elite League and this may be no different.

It doesn't get any bigger than this...

Image source, Press Eye

Belfast Giants

G Tyler Beskorowany

D Gabe Bast

D Sam Ruopp

RW Steve Owre

C Scott Conway

LW David Goodwin

Cardiff Devils

G Ben Bowns

D Blake Thompson

D Marcus Crawford

RW Cole Sanford

C Joey Martin

LW Trevor Cox

Image source, Press Eye

Hello from the SSE Arena in Belfast for tonight's Elite League clash between the Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils - the first of two games between the sides this weekend.

The title race has three weekends to go - the Giants have built a five point lead over Guildford Flames and Sheffield Steelers with 6 games left - Cardiff are only a further point behind but this really is a must win game for the Welsh side if they are keep their championship hopes alive.

Belfast know that a pair of wins, plus some results in their favour elsewhere, could set them up to play for the trophy next week.

Guildford are at home to Glasgow while Sheffield face Nottingham.

It's been a terrific season, what twists and turns remain?

Image source, BBC Sport