The Belfast Giants clinched their third consecutive Elite League title with a 6-1 win over the Guildford Flames at the SSE Arena on Saturday [1 April].
The Giants, who entered the final weekend of play two points ahead of the Flames, seized control of the championship decider with two first period goals and never looked back.
Team Great Britain forward Ben Lake broke the deadlock five minutes before the first intermission, weaving through the offensive zone before beating Eamon McAdam with a lofted backhand shot.
The SSE Arena erupts! 🗣️@BelfastGiants score the opening goal of the game through Ben Lake 🏒#EIHL | @officialEIHL pic.twitter.com/HUyVIFmXTw
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) April 1, 2023
Jeff Baum doubled Belfast’s advantage two minutes later, which proved to be the difference on an evening of fire and passion in Northern Ireland.
The Flames tried to mount a comeback in the second period, with Peter Crinella scoring on the powerplay to make it a one-goal game, but were quickly swept aside in Belfast.
The Giants scored three times in quick succession to finish the middle frame, with Henrik Eriksson netting a three-minute brace and Matthew McLeod finding twine to blow the Flames away.
Steven Owre added a cherry on top with four minutes left to play in the third, converting from the top of the crease on the powerplay.
The Giants now stand alone as the Elite League’s most successful regular-season club, with six championships since 2000.
Analysis: Belfast Giants win third consecutive Elite League title
The Giants have won three consecutive Elite League titles and show no desire to slow down.
While Adam Keefe’s squad endured a speed wobble in the middle of the season, falling to back-to-back defeats to the Manchester Storm, they came back stronger down the stretch thanks to improved individual performances and savvy recruitment.
The Giants made a series of bold moves in January, adding retiree netminder Tyler Beskorowany and National League import Grant Cooper to an already-stacked roster.
Tyler Beskorowany, Belfast Giants (Image: William Cherry)
And it worked. Immediately.
The Giants dropped only six points in a 32-game span to upstage the Flames, Sheffield Steelers, and Cardiff Devils in the second half of the campaign. They also dismantled the Fife Flyers 9-3 in the Challenge Cup final, underscoring their top-to-bottom quality.
Related: Belfast Giants confirm dynasty status with Challenge Cup triumph
Guildford ran their rivals from across the Irish Sea very close over the course of the season.
But the Flames just couldn’t match the Giants once they found their rhythm and started to score at will.
Will that dynamic shift in the playoffs? Will Guildford – or anyone else, for that matter – be able to stop Belfast in the postseason?
As the Giants chase their first league, cup, and playoff treble, it feels unlikely.
