Cardiff Devils 2-1 Belfast Giants

Robert Dowd scored for Belfast Giants in the third period

Belfast Giants are 2-1 down after the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final against Cardiff Devils.

Home side Cardiff got the only score of Wednesday's first period when Phil Hill netted on a powerplay with Paul Deniset sitting out a penalty for hooking.

Gerad Adams doubled the Devils lead in the third period but Robert Dowd struck on a powerplay for the Giants who were without the injured Darryl Lloyd.

The second leg in Belfast on 4 February also counts as an Elite League match.