SHEFFIELD Steelers and Belfast Giants will meet in the play-off final at the National Ice Centre on Sunday after they edged two tight semi-finals.
The Giants, runaway winners of the Elite League, were favourites to beat a Fife Flyers side who came from nowhere with a brilliant late run to earn their trip to Nottingham.
The Scottish side pushed Belfast all the way as only a third period goal from Kevin Saurette separated the teams.
Steelers edged the other semi-final as they scraped past Braehead Clan, who knocked out Nottingham Panthers in the quarter-finals, 3-2.
The first period proved to be an explosive affair as Sheffield led 2-1 at the buzzer, but not before two players had been ejected.
Steelers' Rob Spencer went for seemingly hitting Joel Champagne on the ice after the two had fought and Clan lost Chris Frank when he joined the fight to go for Spencer.
Clan opened the scoring when Neil Trimm shot home from close range at 3.40. Steelers hit back and Nate DiCasmirro levelled at 9.08.
At 15.42 tensions spilled over with Spencer and Champagne dropping gloves and five players in total given penalties.
Pressure from the Scottish side told at 37.05 when Ash Goldie levelled with a powerful high shot.
Both sides missed chances before Rob Dowd won the game at 53.18.
