Pat Bateman scores Belfast's third goal on Saturday night

The Belfast Giants are back in Elite League title contention after completing a double victory over Nottingham Panthers at the weekend.

Having beaten the Panthers 4-2 at the Odyssey Arena on Friday, the Giants won 3-1 on Saturday.

George Awada gave the hosts the lead in the first minute but Bruce Richardson soon levelled for Nottingham.

Colin Shields made it 2-1 at the end of the opening period and Pat Bateman added the third in the second.

Giants netminder Stephen Murphy was in superb form, making 38 saves to put his side in a position to win.

Belfast came out of the traps fast with an excellent opening shift and Awada rounded it off with the opening goal.

However with Sean McMorrow sent to the penalty box Panthers equalised on the powerplay with Richardson netting.

Murphy was sharp, making a string of good saves and his team-mates took a lead into the first break through a Shields goal.

Panthers keeper Kevin St Pierre had seen the heavy slap-shot from the Giants captain all the way but somehow it crept in the corner.

Murphy and the Giants' penalty killers absorbed a lot of early pressure in the second period and Bateman then gave them a two-goal advantage.

Belfast ended the third period with their two-goal lead intact as Nottingham failed to find a way past Murphy, leaving the Giants with a comfortable two points.

Coventry's win over Newcastle put them back on top by two points over the Panthers with the Giants now just three behind.

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