TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 2 BELFAST GIANTS 5

The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars were beaten 5-2 by Belfast Giants on Saturday night but pushed their opponents all the way as the Giants stole a lead late in the second period and were made to work for their two points.

By Kris Smith

Dundee would be 1-0 behind after the first period as the Giants took the lead in the third minute as Jeff Baum fired home the opener, straight after Scott Conway won possession from the face-off.

The Tayside team responded early in the second period and cashed in on a powerplay when Cole MacDonald fired past Jackson Whistle on 22 minutes, however Belfast would get back in front just six minutes later when J.J. Piccinich turned home a rebound at the back post of Jarrett Fiske’s goal.

Although, Dundee would again find a leveller in the 31st minute as Brendan Harms tucked home a loose rebound after Whistle had made a number of saves in the final seconds of an expiring powerplay for the home team.

Just as both teams looked set to head into the final period even at 2-2, the battle swung back into the Northern Irish club’s favour as two penalties were called against Dundee at the same time with both of the Stars goal scorers sent to the box, as Harms was punished for slashing and MacDonald for kneeing.

Just 20 seconds into their five-on-three man advantage, the Giants would regain the lead as former Stars Elijiah Barriga batted in a rebound at the far post after Fiske made the initial save.

Marc LeFebvre’s men needed to find a way to rejuvenate themselves for the final period and find a third equaliser on the night but the next goal would go to Adam Keefe’s side as Barriga made it a brace for himself at his former home.

Inside 44 minutes, Gabe Bast’s effort was blocked by Barriga in front of the Dundee goal but he controlled the puck and spun around before lifting the shot past a diving Fiske.

Belfast would then secure their two points with a fifth goal in the 48th minute as Barriga found Bobo Carpenter in space and his shot beat the Stars keeper to make it 5-2.

Now the Stars must regroup and prepare for tomorrow’s road game against Nottingham Panthers as they aim to find their first points of the weekend.

Man of the Match

Dundee: #26 Cole MacDonald

Belfast: #91 Elijiah Barriga

Goals

1st:

0-1 Jeff Baum (Scott Conway) 02:55

2nd:

1-1 Cole MacDonald (Ben O’Connor, Brett Gravelle) 22:08 PPG

1-2 J.J. Piccinich (Scott Conway, Jordan Kawaguchi) 28:10

2-2 Brendan Harms (Drydn Dow, Domenic Alberga) 31:41

2-3 Elijiah Barriga (J.J. Piccinich, Josh Roach) 38:22

3rd:

2-4 Elijiah Barriga (Gabe Bast) 43:42

2-5 Bobo Carpenter (Elijiah Barriga, Jeff Baum) 47:41

All images: Derek Black.