Coaches Andrew Lord and Adam Keefe were both uncertain a late, controversial refereeing decision at the SSE Arena.

Montreal-born Spiro Goulakos smashed home with 1.6 seconds of sudden death overtime left and Belfast Giants players, officials and fans celebrated wildly.

But referee Tom Darnell waved the goal off, signalling immediately and strongly as the puck hit the net, and left fans plus players mystified.

Giants won the penalty shootout to earn the extra point thanks to a 4-3 win, but it was a controversial decision to disallow that Goulakos effort.

The home team didn’t have a player in the crease and Lord suggested that perhaps the referees felt the puck had not crossed the line.

Keefe, too, was unclear what had happened, saying: “I saw the goal and we were celebrating.

“It was a big one with 1.6 seconds left, a great moment for this hockey team. Then we saw the ‘goal’ was waved off.

“Our next thought was why? Maybe it didn’t go in and hit the bar?

“I would like officials to at least discuss it and exhaust every option to make sure a decision is right. Okay, we got the extra point in the end, but these decisions are big.

“Don’t leave it open to human error. Go and take time to review it, discuss the situation with linesmen and the other referee to make sure the right call is made. Or at least attempt to.

“That was a potential season turning point.”

Keefe confirmed that centre Brendan Connolly will return to the Belfast team on Saturday evening for the second Giants v Devils clash (SSE Arena, 7pm). Connolly has completed his two-match suspension.

Lord’s Devils scored three powerplay goals in a tough match and Keefe said: “That was play-off hockey.

“They had four lines, cycling in guys on the fourth, and Devils are dangerous on the forecheck.

“We have to get something ourselves on the powerplay. Devils are good in that area and on the penalty kill.

“It hurts that devils took a point, but I’m happy with the win. These guys want it. They are hungry.

“We were pretty hungry by the end of the match. Credit to the guys for sticking at it.

“Now we need two points in regulation tomorrow hopefully.”

The next home match for Devils is against Steelers in the second leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final at the IAW next Wednesday (7.30pm).

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