Having lost six straight shootouts this season, few would have fancied Gerad Adam' men but in the end it was Kenton Smith who scored the winning shot - the only netfinder from the initial three rounds of shots.

Devils had earlier looked set for success in regulation but gave up a 3-1 lead as Giants hit back, scoring twice inside the final five minutes.

Giants started brightly but were jolted when Devils took the lead at 2.33 when Scott Matzka converted on a two on one break. Stevie Lyle in the Cardiff net then had two great stops as Giants hit back but could do nothing when Giants levelled on the powerplay at 7.21 with Jeremy Rebek firing in through traffic just as Devils had killed off a spell when Giants had a two-man advantage.

Late on in the opening period Mark Smith hit the Giants post but the game remained deadlocked at the first break.

A scrappy start to the second session with Giants perhaps creating the best of the few clear cut chances early on but Stephen Murphy was forced into a sprawling save from Jeff Pierce in the 31st minute as Devils came right back into it.

Confidence

The Devils' increasing confidence was then rewarded at 35.34 when Scott Dobben converted on a rebound to give them that slender one-goal advantage going into the third period.

Devils survived some heavy Giants pressure as the third period wore on but always looked dangerous on the break and after some great work behind the net from player/coach Gerad Adams the unlikely source of Luke Piggott fired in only his second goal of the season to put Devils 3-1 ahead.

It looked like the double dream for Giants was over but they got a lifeline when Aaron Clarke converted a cantering feed at 55.19 and after piling on pressure on the Devils net Mike Hoffman poked home the puck from almost on the goal line after Stevie Lyle lost sight of it in his crease to tie the game at three and see overtime beckon.

The ten minute overtime period produced few real chances on the 4 on 4 play and it was to the shootout we went where Kenton Smith scored the winning shot to send his side through to play either Nottingham or Hull in the final.