Simon Lambert of the Giants is tackled by Mark Smyth of Cardiff Devils during the semi-final

Cardiff Devils beat Belfast Giants 4-1 in the semi-finals of the play-offs at Nottingham's National Ice Centre.

Tylor Michel and Max Birbraer gave Cardiff a two-goal first period lead, which Ryan Finnerty extended just after the halfway point.

Mike Jacobsen closed the gap with a powerplay goal but Devils made the game safe thanks to Stuart MacRae's strike.

The Devils will face Nottingham Panthers in Sunday's final in a repeat of the 2007 final.

Cardiff lost to Nottingham on penalty shots on that occasion.

Devils player-coach Gerad Adams said: "Our netminder (Stevie Lyle) was awesome tonight and he gave us that chance to win.

"We worked so hard and everyone deserves their place in the final."

Belfast coach Doug Christiansen added: "We just didn't put our chances away but I am proud of how we played.

"We came so close but came up against a top netminder tonight."

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