Ulster watch Giants beat Devils

The Elite League Champions were watched by the Ulster Rugby team - who are facing Cardiff in the PRO 12 - as they demolished the Devils on Thursday night.

The Belfast Giants picked up a valuable two points on the road thanks to a win against the Cardiff Devils in the Giants first of three games in four nights.

Two goals from Daymen Rycroft and a shutout from Stephen Murphy were enough to see the Giants through in the first meeting of these teams this season.

The first period was littered with penalties with half of the period involving special teams. But it was the Giants who got off the mark first with a Powerplay goal at 3.43 with Daymen Rycroft firing home thanks to assists from Andrew Fournier and Will Colbert.

The second period was a tense affair, again mostly dominated by special teams, however no more goals were put on the board after another 20 minutes.

The third period couldn't have been more different than what went before with the Giants stretching their lead thanks to a dominating display to close out the game.

The goals rained in with Belfast scoring three times in three minutes to secure the win.

At 41.23, Craig Peacock made it 2-0, assisted by Andrew Fournier and Daymen Rycroft and then at 42.57, Rycroft grabbed his second of the night with assists from Peacock and Fournier.

Captain Adam Keefe scored the third of the quick fire goals at 44.24 thanks to assists from Darryl Lloyd and Mark Garside to give his team a 4-0 lead in Cardiff.

Stand out performances came from Daymen Rycroft, Andrew Fournier and Craig Peacock who amassed three points, three points and two points respectively.

The win takes the Giants into second position in the Elite League on eight points, three clear of The Cardiff Devils.