The Belfast Giants may have lost the war, but they won the battle on Sunday evening in the Elite League, beating newly-crowned champions Coventry Blaze 6-4.
Steve Thornton's side had been hoping for a weekend favour from the Edinburgh Capitals - although it didn't come - the Blaze winning in Scotland on Saturday to ensure there was nothing more than pride to play for on Sunday.
Sunday's 6-4 victory means Coventry's title win is by the narrowest of margins - one point.
The Giants raced 2-0 ahead inside 15 minutes - Brandon Benedict spoiling the celebratory mood in the arena with a sixth minute opener, before Evan Cheverie made it two.
Greg Owen halved the deficit, before Cheverie pounced again.
The Blaze came back again though and strikes from Luke Fulghum, Brian Lee and Brad Cruickshank put them into the lead at 4-3 - although Michael Jacobsen levelled again.
Benedict scored his second of the night eight minutes from time to put the Giants ahead and they sealed the win through Jeff Szwez.
The win puts the Giants in an upbeat mood ahead of this weekend's two-legged play-off quarter-final with the Newcastle Vipers.
© UTV News