Ice Hockey: Giants cut Steelers' lead

Belfast Giants closed the gap on the Superleague leaders Sheffield Steelers with a 6-4 victory over London Knights at the Docklands Arena on Sunday.

Four second-period goals proved crucial to keeping alive the champions' hopes of becoming the first team in Superleague to win back-to-back titles.

Kory Karlander and captain Paul Kruse twice gave Belfast the lead, only for Dennis Maxwell and ex-Giant Jeff Hoad to haul London, who were playing their final home game of the regular season, back on level terms.

Goals from Dave Matsos, Colin Ward and Rod Stevens, from a powerplay, gave Belfast some breathing space but Mark Kolesar clawed one back for London on another powerplay with a second of the middle session remaining.

Giants restored their three-goal cushion only 58 seconds after the restart through Doug MacDonald, with Steve Aronson pulling another goal back for the hosts.

Only a point now separates Sheffield and Belfast, who both have three games remaining, with Nottingham Panthers a further point behind.