BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Giants lose Challenge semi

Nottingham Panthers 3-2 Belfast Giants

Belfast Giants' injury crisis took its toll with Nottingham Panthers progressing to the Challenge Cup final on a 3-2 scoreline at the Sheffield Arena.

Panthers came from 2-1 down to score two last-period goals and reach the final for the third time.

Belfast were without Paxton Schulte, Ryan Kuwabara and Dave Matsos, Kevin Riehl, Kory Karlander and Doug Macdonald who were carrying injuries and Todd Kelman played with a broken hand.

Lee Jinman's second goal of the game proved to be the winner 10 minutes from time.

Belfast, last season's beaten finalists and icing only 12 skaters, could not take advantage of their fortunate entry into the last four having taken the place of the now-defunct Scottish Eagles.

Panthers, in their fifth semi-final in the last six seasons, made a stunning start by taking the lead after just 19 seconds.

Sandrock scored the Giants second goal
Robby Sandrock: On target for the Giants

Stanley Cup winner Jimmy Paek fed Barry Nieckar down the right wing and he teed up Jinman at the back post, who made no mistake.

Giants goaltender Colin Ryder then came up with a brilliant one-handed save to deny Greg Hadden in a one on one.

That proved crucial as Belfast equalised in the 15th minute through Todd Kelman, playing as an emergency forward.

Panthers, who went into the game with just one defeat from their previous seven Superleague matches, dominated the start of the second period with Ryder denying Dody Wood.

But Belfast began to apply the pressure and Robby Sandrock saw his thunderbolt hit the pipe.

However, he was not to be foiled a second time and took advantage of a five-on-three powerplay to give his side the lead.

Curt Bowen should have stretched Belfast's lead but lifted the puck over the frame of the goal.

Panthers tied the game up at 2-2 149 seconds into the last period.

We wanted to progress in the final and win it so it's disappointing

Dave Whistle

Lee Sorochan lost the puck behind his own net and Hadden, retiring at the end of the season, capitalised by beating Ryder.

Jinman sealed victory with his winning strike with Belfast unable to find a response.

Belfast coach Dave Whistle will be looking to bring in some cover this week to help take the pressure of his squad.

He said: "A lot of teams go through it (injuries) so we will just have to go through it.

"We hardly got any injuries throughout all of last season but it just seems to be one after another right now.

"We wanted to progress in the final and win it so it's disappointing."


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