Belfast Giants admit they ‘dare not lose’ tonight’s Elite League clash with leaders Cardiff Devils at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay (4pm).

Reigning champions Devils, who are going for a third successive title, extended their lead ahead of second-placed Giants to seven points thanks to a 4-2 home win last night.

“It’s a big game on Sunday and we can’t lose it,” said Belfast assistant coach Rob Stewart,

“We have to come out and do our best. Cardiff are a great team. You can’t just show up and expect to win.”

http://https://youtu.be/YKweCw2MHL4

A sell-out attendance of 3,100 spectators watched the best two teams in Britain go head-to-head on Saturday.

Devils were without Canadians Joey Haddad and Drew Scheistel, who both have minor injuries, 

Luke Piggott, Cardiff’s assistant coach, talked to the media after a victory which was an eighth in a row for the Welsh club.

“We are delighted with the win,” he said. “There is a good reason why Cardiff and Belfast are the top two teams in the table and it was a great battle.

“We were pleased with the last 10 of the first, the whole second period and the first 10 of the final period. The guys stuck to our game plan and executed we had been working on all week.

“It was an exciting game.

http://https://youtu.be/qcIt8r4_Bqs

“The key to games between these teams is always going to be the same. We have to make sure we put ourselves in the best  position to execute our game plan.”

British players Matthew Myers and Sam Duggan were both given good ice time and produced quality performances.

“They had a really good start, were rock solid defensively, had grind minutes in the O-zone and were responsible with the puck,” said Piggott.

“It’s a lot of responsibility for a young guy like Duggan, but the only way he is going to develop is to put him in those situations.

“Matthew is experienced and big games suit him.”

Devils players refuelled with plenty of water, food and rest since Saturday’s match and go again this afternoon.

http://https://youtu.be/2iBAUgRJ9zs

Belfast Giants are at the Viola Arena this evening (Sunday, 4pm).

For Devils home tickets CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL 0800 0842 666

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the full fixtures list.

Saturday results: Guildford Flames 3, Fife Flyers 4; Cardiff Devils 4, Belfast Giants 2; Coventry Blaze 2, Manchester Storm 6; Glasgow Clan 4, Nottingham Panthers 1; Milton Keynes Lightning 1, Sheffield Steelers 4.

Sunday fixtures: Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants (4pm); Sheffield Steelers v MK Lightning (4pm); Dundee Stars v Guildford Flames (5pm); Manchester Storm v Coventry Blaze (5.30pm); Fife Flyers v Nottingham Panthers (6.30pm).

ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2018/19

TEAM	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	PIM	STREAK
Cardiff Devils	37	28	5	4	60	.811	150	92	422	8-0
Belfast Giants	36	26	9	1	53	.736	136	85	482	0-1
Nottingham Panthers	43	20	14	9	49	.570	134	135	683	0-6
Fife Flyers	37	20	13	4	44	.595	130	127	516	1-0
Glasgow Clan	36	20	14	2	42	.583	131	119	423	2-0
Guildford Flames	38	18	17	3	39	.513	126	122	492	0-2
Manchester Storm	39	18	18	3	39	.500	118	135	880	5-0
Dundee Stars	39	15	15	9	39	.500	109	134	387	3-0
Sheffield Steelers	38	18	19	1	37	.487	118	133	522	1-0
Coventry Blaze	36	15	14	7	37	.514	127	144	440	0-2
Milton Keynes Lightning	39	11	24	4	26	.333	96	149	732	0-5

Elite League leading scorers – top 10

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	POS	NUM	GP	G	A	P	PIM	PP	PPA	SH	SHA	GWG
1	Kruise Reddick	GUI	F	51	38	21	30	51	28	8	16	2	1	2
2	Ben Lake	COV	F	9	36	22	27	49	47	5	6	0	0	2
3	Matt Beca	GLA	F	26	36	19	30	49	14	3	9	0	2	3
4	Charles Linglet	CAR	F	70	37	14	35	49	10	2	16	0	0	2
5	Gleason Fournier	CAR	D	20	37	16	32	48	22	4	13	0	0	4
6	Mike Hammond	MAN	F	21	32	12	36	48	14	3	8	2	1	2
7	Brendan Connolly	GLA	C	9	34	24	22	46	58	4	9	0	0	4
8	Blair Riley	BEL	RW	25	36	23	23	46	43	5	5	1	0	6
9	Paul Crowder	FIF	C	80	36	20	26	46	46	4	12	0	1	2
10	Alex Nikiforuk	COV	F	22	36	15	30	45	39	5	13	0	0	1