Giants lift Montieth Bowl

Ayr won through to their second Challenge Cup final

By BBC Sport Online's Stuart Hughes.

Friday's Game:
BELFAST GIANTS 1-1 SHEFFIELD STEELERS
Sheffield Steelers spoiled Belfast's party by holding Giants to a 1-1 draw.

Belfast were presented with the Montieth Bowl after the game, a fortnight after they clinched the Superleague title with six weeks to spare.

Sheffield took the lead in the sixth minute through a fine strike from Scott Allison.

Belfast, without a win in four games, equalised on the powerplay at 11:54. Paxton Schulte's shot soared over the head of Sheffield goalie Ryan Bach and into the net.

Saturday's Game:
Challenge Cup semi-final second leg
NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS 4-4 AYR SCOTTISH EAGLES (4-7 Agg)
Ayr Scottish Eagles booked their place in the Challenge Cup final for the second successive year.

Panthers, trailing by three goals from the first leg, took the lead after less than two minutes when Ashley Tait fired a wrist shot past Joaquin Gage.

Shawn Byram equalised at 15:05, only for Jimmy Paek to put Nottingham back in front on a double powerplay at 23:32.

Ian Herbers put Panthers on terms but Calle Carlsson gave Eagles the edge at the second break.

A third period goal for Nottingham from Steve Moria (powerplay) came sandwiched between strikes from Dody Wood and Byram, both with the man advantage.

Panthers will now face Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup final at the Odyssey Arena on March 3.

Sunday's Games:
MANCHESTER STORM 4-3 SHEFFIELD STEELERS
Manchester staged a stunning second period comeback to claim their first win in ten league games against Steelers.

Rick Brebant, Peter Leboutillier and Chris Brant powered Sheffield into a 3-0 lead inside 17 minutes.

Storm, unbeaten in their last five home games, stunned the visitors after the intermission.

Goals from Russ Romaniuk, Joe Cardarelli (short-handed) and a brace from Manchester skipper Ivan Matulik silenced Sheffield.

AYR SCOTTISH EAGLES 7-3 BRACKNELL BEES
Bracknell's miserable run continued as Enio Sacilotto's side failed to collect two points for the 11th time in league play.

Rhett Gordon (short-handed) and Shawn Bryan gave Ayr an early two-goal lead before Sam Ftorek managed to deceive Joaquin Gage with a speculative shot from the blue line.

Both sides trod water for three quarters of the second period but the session ended with a flurry of goals.

Mike Jickling, Dino Bauba and Dody Wood all found the net for Ayr. Brad Peddle supplied Bracknell's only strike.

GB international Jonathan Weaver overcame Brian Greer at 44:14 and then, after a 48th minute goal from Joe Ciccarello, added a second.