By Kris Smith
The Stars final game of the year presents the opportunity for them to end 2023 in the top half of the table as they could climb from eighth to fifth in the standings, if they can claim a second successive win against Belfast at the DIA.
Last night, David Phillip’s deflected effort gave the Giants an early lead on six minutes, with the puck bouncing into the Dundee goal via the skates of Elijah Vilio.
Vilio made his debut for the Stars in Belfast and would go on to impress in what was a difficult night for the Tayside team as they defended well but failed to breakthrough the Belfast defence and Jackson Whistle in goals.
After a scoreless second period, the home team would continue to narrowly lead 1-0 but had to fight off the Stars waves of attacks with Anthony Rinaldi coming the closest to equalising but saw his effort denied by the post.
Greg Printz then scored on the break in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 and Bobby MacIntyre bagged the third when he scored into an empty net with 87 seconds left to play.
After claiming a 6-3 home win on the Giants last visit, the Stars will be hoping for a similar outcome in the first ever Hogmanay game at the DIA.
Dundee will have a full line-up and have to healthy scratch one spare import, with only Kris Inglis missing out on the action through injury.
Reflecting on last night’s game in Belfast, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “I thought it was a hard-fought hockey game between two good teams.
“Both goaltenders were outstanding and the PK units of both teams were outstanding also.
“They just got that one goal in the first period after it comes off both of our defenseman and ends up in the net, then the second one we were pressing a bit, they got in behind us and got that second one to clinch it.
“I thought it was a pretty good game overall, we just have to find a way to hit the back of the net.”
Face-off for today’s home game is at 2pm and you can get your tickets HERE!
All images: Derek Black.
