Reigning Elite League champions Belfast Giants have closed the gap on Nottingham Panthers to just two points after a trio of wins. Giants ran out 3-0 winners against Fife Flyers and followed up with a hard fought 5-4 victory in Nottingham. They completed their six-point haul with a 2-0 success at Coventry Blaze. Panthers recovered in style to record a 4-2 win at Sheffield, but the Steelers remain in the title mix after a win by the same score at home to Coventry.
 
Braehead Clan beat Hull Stingrays 2-1 – Steve Birnstill got the shoot-out winner. Fife beat Dundee 5-0 – John Dolan scored twice – but Stars gained revenge on home ice with a 6-5 overtime success – Mike Wirll bagged the winner. Edinburgh won 5-4 at Cardiff Devils – Rene Jarolin hit the overtime winner – and the Slovakian scored another couple as the Capitals won 9-5 at home to Hull.
 
Guildford Flames stay top of the EPL after a 4-2 win at home to Sheffield Steeldogs. Basingstoke Bison had a mixed weekend – winning 3-1 at home to Manchester Phoenix, before crashing to a 5-1 loss at Bracknell Bees. Phoenix failed to bounce back as they fell 4-3 at home to Peterborough Phantoms – James Ferrara hit the overtime winner. Slough Jets enjoyed a pair of wins – 7-0 at home to Sheffield and 4-3 at Telford Tigers. Aaron Nell hit a hat-trick for Swindon Wildcats in their 5-4 win at MK Lightning.
 
Solway Sharks secured a 3-1 lead in the first leg of their KD Flavell Welding Specialists East/West Trophy Final against Billingham Stars. Adam Robinson gave Stars the lead, but goals from Nathan Salem, Aidan Fulton and Struan Tonnar put Sharks in strong position ahead of next week’s second leg in Dumfries.
 
Sharks also extended their lead at the top of NIHL1 North to five points with a 3-3 draw at home to Blackburn Hawks – Dave Meikle grabbed the visitors’ equaliser with five seconds left. Sutton Sting boosted their play-off hopes with a 5-4 win at Sheffield Spartans – Richie Oliver hit the winner in the final minute.
 
Nottingham Lions are three points clear at the top of NIHL2 North after a 4-2 win at Deeside Dragons. Sheffield Senators stay in the promotion hunt after beating Fylde Flyers 5-2, while Solihull Barons kept up the pressure with a 3-2 win at Hull Stingrays.
 
NIHL1 South leaders Romford Raiders remain level on points with Chelmsford Chieftains after they slipped to a shock 4-2 defeat at Streatham Redskins. Wightlink Raiders are a point behind in third after an 8-2 home win over Bracknell Hornets.
 
Article by permission of Coast to Coast
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Michael Black
Freelance news, features & sports writer for prohockeynews.com, britishicehockey.co.uk, eurohockey.com, vavel.com, ftbpro.com & rovers.footballblog.co.uk.