Photo: EIHL / Belfast Giants [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1393c8ac-bc5d-4802-a20d-f626ec08cad6.jpeg] Photo: EIHL / Belfast Giants Great Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League concluded on Sunday with the Belfast Giants finishing in first place in a tight race that went down to the last game. The EIHL’s playoffs are still upcoming but, in keeping with the established norm in British sports, the regular-season winner is considered the league champion, which Belfast has now won three of the last four years. Heading into the last day of action, Belfast led the standings with 78 points, followed by the Sheffield Steelers with 77. The third-place Nottingham Panthers, who had 73 points, were eliminated in their penultimate game, a 2-1 overtime loss in Belfast on Saturday. On Sunday, it was Nottingham hosting Belfast and Sheffield playing away in Coventry against the Blaze, with both games starting at 5:30pm local time. Because of the possibility of the trophy being awarded in either Sheffield or Coventry that night, it sat approximately halfway between both cities in Leicester. That night, Coventry defeated Sheffield 4-3 in regulation time and, for the second night in a row, Belfast beat Nottingham in overtime – this time 4-3 on a goal by Mike Lee. “It’s incredible!” said Giants captain Mark Cooper, according to the [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/champions-rise-when-it-matters-most-and-thats-exactly-what-my-belfast-giants-did-hails-jubilant-adam-keefe-after-title-glory/a158016949.html]Belfast Telegraph [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/champions-rise-when-it-matters-most-and-thats-exactly-what-my-belfast-giants-did-hails-jubilant-adam-keefe-after-title-glory/a158016949.html]. “This group’s battled this last six weeks with Sheffield on our heels. Sheffield’s an incredible team and they pushed us right to the end.” “I don’t know why he drove so far to Coventry when he should have been here waiting for the real league champions!” said Giants head coach Adam Keefe, the brother of New Jersey Devils [http://thn.com/newjersey] coach Sheldon Keefe. Keefe rightly added, “It didn’t matter what happened in Coventry, these boys got two points tonight and a big win, and they’re league champions and I’m very happy and proud of them.” Sheffield Steelers claim British hockey's "Grand Slam" [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjA1OTIxMDA4OTc5Mjg5MzY2/steelers.jpg] Sheffield Steelers claim British hockey's "Grand Slam" Having already won the Challenge Cup and the regular-season title this season, the Sheffield Steelers completed the Elite Ice Hockey League’s “Grand Slam” on Sunday by defeating the Belfast Giants 3-1 in the playoff final. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/sheffield-steelers-claim-british-hockeys-grand-slam] The Giants roster includes British national team forward Ben Lake and netminder Jackson Whistle – the latter shares the crease duties with veteran American goalie Tom McCollum, who played three NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings [http://thn.com/detroit]. By winning the Challenge Cup and the league, the Giants have now won two of British hockey’s three crown jewels, with the playoffs still to come. Last season, the Sheffield Steelers pulled off the rare grand slam by winning all three. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/sheffield-steelers-claim-british-hockeys-grand-slam] “We’re so proud to bring two trophies to Belfast, and after we sober these guys up on Wednesday or Thursday, we’re going to go after that third one,” said Keefe. As British champions, the Giants qualify for the 2025-26 Champions Hockey League season. In three previous CHL appearances, the Giants have failed to make the round of 16. Last season, the Steelers had the EIHL’s best ever finish in the CHL [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/champions-hockey-league-regular-season-finished-playoff-matchups-known] by winning four of six regular-season games before falling to Eisb [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/sparta-prague-eisbaren-berlin-win-to-complete-first-legs-of-champions-hockey-league-round-of-16]ären Berlin in the round of 16 [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/five-teams-advance-to-champions-hockey-league-quarterfinals]. Champions Hockey League Regular Season Finished; Playoff Matchups Known [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjEwMDMxNjIyMzIwMzAxNDM0/2024-10-16_she-dyn-101502-imag.jpg] Champions Hockey League Regular Season Finished; Playoff Matchups Known The Champions Hockey League’s regular season is now finished, with six playoff spots being decided on the final day. Oceláři Třinec, the Lahti Pelicans, Eisbären Berlin and the Sheffield Steelers all advanced with wins, Tappara Tampere backed in despite a loss and luck was on the side of the idle Straubing Tigers. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/champions-hockey-league-regular-season-finished-playoff-matchups-known]
