The Belfast Giants managed to successfully secure their third consecutive Elite League Trophy on April 1st with a resounding 6-1 victory against second-place Guildford Flames in a title decided in the capital of Northern Ireland. Oddschecker, which compares ice hockey odds and offers, had favoured the Giants to secure the victory and the title on home turf. However, even the oddsmakers couldn’t predict how dominant they would be on course to victory. Now, attention will turn to the postseason, and the newly minted Elite League champions are aiming for an unprecedented league, cup, and playoffs treble for the first time in their career.
The Flames headed across the Irish Sea full of optimism. They had gone toe-to-toe with the Belfast outfit throughout the course of the campaign and their fans were hopeful that their side could spring the upset. Both teams were level on 82 points prior to the game getting underway, but in the end it was the Giants who dominated the proceedings. Braces from Mark Cooper, Scott Conway, and Steven Owre were enough to secure a dominant victory and the championship.
But, despite their dominance in recent seasons, the Giants tend to capitulate in the postseason.
The Giants’ Playoff Woes
As we have eluded to, when it comes to league play, no one compares to the Belfast Giants. The Northern Irish have romped to the league title in each of the last three campaigns. However, when attention turns to the postseason, they simply cannot get over the line. In each of their last two campaigns, the Giants have made it all the way to the playoff final. On both occasions, they have been downed by the Cardiff Devils.
Back in 2019, the Giants – just as they have this term – had already wrapped up the league title and the Challenge Cup as well. They headed into their playoff final against the reigning champion Devils as heavy favourites but they were unable to get over the line, eventually succumbing to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat.
In 2022, the Giants had once again wrapped up a league and cup double heading into the postseason and were aiming to put their playoff woes behind them. Unfortunately, they were handed a 6-3 drubbing by Cardiff in the playoff final.
Will they finally manage to secure the elusive treble in 2023? Only time will tell whether they can overcome their historic curse.
