Giants pegged back by Sheffield

Ed Courtenay's Belfast side are the Elite League leaders

Elite League leaders Belfast Giants had to settle for a 2-2 over-time draw against Sheffield Steelers on Sunday evening after losing a two-goal lead.

Goals from George Awada and Theo Fluery put the Giants 2-0 up but Mark Dutiaume and Mike Peron levelled for Sheffield.

Mike Minard produced a great save for the Giants late in regulation time and over-time failed to produce a winner.

In Sunday's other Elite League games, Edinburgh drew 2-2 with Coventry while Nottingham beat Cardiff 3-0.

Belfast hammered Basingstoke Basin 7-1 on Saturday evening.

In Saturday's game, player-boss Ed Courtenay put the Giants ahead and further goals from Colin Shields and Todd Kelman left the away team 3-0 ahead after the first period.

Courtenay and Shields strikes extended the lead to 5-0 and while Greg Chambers replied, George Awada and Leigh Jamison added last period goals for the Giants.

Tempers flared on occasions during Saturday's game.

Shawn Skiehar got involved in an early confrontation with Bison's Brad Cruikshank while Steve O'Brien was ordered off the ice in the final period after being one of central characters in a brawl involving several players.

In Saturday's other games, Newcastle Vipers beat Cardiff Devils 4-1, Edinburgh Capitals saw off Coventry 5-3, and Nottingham Panthers downed Sheffield Steelers 5-1.