Simon satisfied with Steelers' share

Steelers headed in to Belfast on Friday six points adrift of Doug Christiansen's team and returned home in the same situation, with four games in hand.

Goals from Jerramie Domish and Ashley Tait secured two points in the first game on Friday, after Jeff Mason had put the home side ahead. But the Giants cancelled out Steelers' advantage by clinching a 4-2 victory on Saturday, making full use of their powerplay to go three goals ahead at the Odyssey Arena.

Giants opened the scoring at 8.40 as Brett Hemmingway netted on the powerplay. They then had to wait 10 minutes before they doubled their lead with another powerplay goal scored by Brad Smyth at 18.44.

There was only the one goal in the second period and it again came the way of the home team as the returning Mike Hoffman converted the Giants third goal at 38.46.

The visitors got a goal back early in the third period as Domish netted on a delayed penalty call at 44.04.

But that was to be as close that the Steelers got as in the 59th minute and with their goaltender pulled, Dan Welch found the empty net to seal the victory.

Steelers' Robert Dowd made it a two-goal game again at 59.29 but there was not enough time on the clock for any more.

"We played very well most of the weekend," said Simon.

"They capitalised on their powerplay on Saturday and we were the victims of too many penalties. We had plenty of chances, especially in the third but, at the end of the day, we split this weekend with a very good Giants team."

Hull Stingrays restored some pride after their 12-0 humiliation by the Cardiff Devils in front of the live TV cameras on Friday.

Although out of the competition, Sylvain Cloutier's beleagured side held Nottingham Panthers to a 1-1 draw in a Group B Challenge Cup match last night.

Konstantin Kalmikov's 42nd-minute opener was cancelled out by the visitors' Rob Bellamy at 49.53.