By Luke McGinnis
Matt Berry opened the scoring for the Stars, notching his tenth point of the Challenge Cup campaign at 06:04. After Jackson DeSouza fired a shot from the blue line that was initially saved by Jackson Whistle, Berry was first to the rebound and slotted the puck into a wide-open net.
The first powerplay of the night went the way of the visitors, as Matt Boudens delivered a big hit in front of the benches which was called for interference. Jordan Kawaguchi wasted no time converting, tipping J.J. Piccinich’s shot from the high slot past Jarrett Fiske just thirteen seconds into the man advantage at 09:43.
Dundee came close to retaking the lead in the dying seconds of the period, with Keanu Yamamoto intercepting a pass in the defensive zone to create a two-on-one opportunity. Hampus Olsson collected the pass, and fired a shot that forced Whistle into a difficult save to keep the score at 1–1 heading into the first intermission.
The Stars came out strong in the second period, dominating the pace of play and generating a number of quality chances — including a breakaway by Spencer Naas in the opening minute.
Belfast nearly took their first lead of the night through Gabe Bast, whose shot off the rush pinged the post. However, Dundee quickly regained control, and Morten Jürgens found himself alone in the neutral zone on a breakaway. The Estonian international carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired a shot over Whistle’s glove to make it 2-1 at 25:32.
Kameron Kielly extended the Stars’ lead to 3-1 at 35:43, capitalising on sustained pressure in the Giants’ zone. Keanu Yamamoto found space and fired a shot toward the net. Despite Whistle making the initial save, Kielly was in perfect position to slide the loose puck home.
Ryan Smith pulled one back for Belfast at 44:44, firing a shot from the left circle past Fiske after a faceoff win in the Stars’ zone. Hampus Olsson responded less than three minutes later at 47:04, after Keanu Yamamoto used his speed to drive the net. Whistle made the initial pad save, but Olsson buried the rebound. A video review was required, as the net had come off its moorings, however it was determined the puck had crossed the line beforehand and the goal was given.
A double-minor against Bradley Schoonbaert gave the Giants a key opportunity to pull a goal back, which Jordan Kawaguchi did at 48:26 after pouncing on a rebound for his second of the game. Nicolas Guay equalised the score late at 53:35, forcing overtime with a shot from the right circle getting past Fiske.
An intense overtime period saw neither team break the ice, despite opportunities for both to do so. Puck possession was firmly split between the two sides, with both goaltenders being forced into a number of saves to keep their team alive.
Matt Berry had the best chance for the Stars, with his backhand shot narrowly being gloved by Whistle. Shortly after on the other end of the ice, Jarrett Fiske displayed strong goaltending, as he denied Marcus Eriksson a clean shooting angle and the puck was sent across the crease.
In the shootout, Drydn Dow and Otto Nieminen both scored for the Stars, and Fiske stopped all four Belfast attempts to secure the 5-4 victory and two Challenge Cup points for Dundee.
