Belfast Giants have been crowned Challenge Cup champions for the fifth time after beating Cardiff Devils 4-0.
Giants, playing in their seventh final of the competition, got off to a sluggish start at the SSE Arena without a single shot on goal in the first six minutes, but still they snatched a two goal advantage in the opening period.
Ciaran Long pounced onto a loose puck and sent it into the roof of the net for the opener before a breakout from David Goodwin and Scott Conway set up JJ Piccinich.
Devils were desperately unlucky to concede the third goal as they tried to rim the puck around the boards behind their net, but it hit a stanchion and bounced kindly to Jordan Kawaguchi who fired past Mac Carruth.
Mark Cooper was on target for the fourth goal while Jackson Whistle denied Cole Sanford with a remarkable save.
Devils attacked in the final period, but Giants’ defence was heroic with nothing getting past Whistle.
