Mark Richardson scored an empty net goal 13 seconds from time to end Fife Flyers’ defiance at Cardiff Devils.
The Scots battled hard throughout the 60 minutes but in-form Cardiff collected their fourth straight win to stay in the chase for the Elite League title.
Joey Haddad opened the scoring for the Welsh side after five minutes but determined Flyers hit back 19 minutes later when Jordan Fulton netted the equaliser.
It took the home side another 15 minutes to go ahead and the goal came one second from the end of the second period.
Doug Clarkson was the marksman and Richardson made sure at 59min 47sec after Fife gambled by withdrawing their netminder Kevin Regan in a last-gasp bid to salvage something from the game.
His opposite number, Ben Bowns, was a hero for the home side making several massive stops to keep the Flyers at bay.
On Saturday, Matt Reber and Scott Fleming both scored doubles as Flyers shut out Hull Stingrays 5-0 at Kirkcaldy.
Braehead Clan remained three points clear of the chasing pack last night with a shutout success at rock-bottom Dundee Stars.
It took the Glasgow side 18 minutes to break through courtesy of former Fife Flyers star Derek Roehl.
Lee Esders popped in the second after 38 minutes and Clan then closed out the game with three goals in eight third-period minutes.
Matt Keith netted after 49 minutes and Matt Haywood slotted home after 57 minutes.
Only 22 seconds later and Leigh Salters got his name on the scoresheet to complete the scoring.
It was Kevin Jones’ ninth shutout of the season and his second in two nights after Clan’s 3-0 win over Dundee in Glasgow on Saturday.
Stars have now lost their last four league games and are 14 points adrift of Hull and Edinburgh who both have 39 points.
At Murrayfield, Edinburgh Capitals’ hero was Dennis Rix. He slotted a penalty shot winner after the sides were level at 4-4 after regular time and extra time.
In the Scottish National League, Kirkcaldy Kestrels defeated Dundee Tigers 9-0 at Dundee Ice Arena.
The Fifers won the first period 2-0, the middle session 3-0 and the final 20 minutes 4-0.
Aaron Robertson and Liam Cassidy both netted doubles in the victory, but Tigers player/coach Ian Carstairs said: “Our performance was much better than the result would indicate.”
Saturday, Elite League: Belfast Giants 4 Edinburgh Capitals 6, Braehead Clan 3 Dundee Stars 0, Fife Flyers 5 Hull Stingrays 0.
Scottish National League: Dundee Tigers 0 Kirkcaldy Kestrels 9.
Sunday, Elite League: Cardiff Devils 3 Fife Flyers 1, Edinburgh Capitals 5 Hull Stingrays 4 (after penalty shots), Dundee Stars 0 Braehead Clan 5.