Ed Courtenay's side were frustrated by Cardiff and the referee

The Giants were infuriated by referee Nigel Boniface's performance and Theo Fleury picked up 20 minutes of penalties before his late dismissal.

Jonathan Phillips, Nathan Rempel, Mike Garrow, Louis Goulet and Kirk DeWaele scored for the Devils.

George Awada and player-coach Ed Courtenay were on target for Belfast.

Courtney joined NHL legend Fleury in being thrown out of the game midway through the final period after Goulet's goal had put Cardiff 4-2 ahead.

After a scoreless first period, Phillips struck first blood for Cardiff on 22:25 after Giants netminder Mike Minard had left his goal to try and win possession following a Shane Johnson mistake.

Rempel extended Cardiff's goal on 25:42 and although George Awada (26:47) replied for the Giants, Mike Garrow (27:30) quickly restored the Devils' two-goal advantage.

Courtney gave the Giants hope when he struck on 30:58 but both the Giants player-boss and Fleury received their final marching orders when Goulet struck Cardiff's fourth goal on 49:09.

With the Giants down two players, Kirk DeWaele added Cardiff's fifth goal on 51:47.

Belfast need one win in their final three league games to clinch the title and they could take the Elite crown if Newcastle slip up in their away contest against Sheffield on Sunday.

The Giants next play in Basingstoke on 4 March and have further away games against Nottingham Panthers (8 March) and Edinburgh Capitals (12 March).