TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 2 BELFAST GIANTS 6
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars opened up an early lead on home ice against Belfast Giants on Saturday night in the Challenge Cup but were unable to stop the Northern Irish side’s comeback, as they went on to claim back-to-back wins over Dundee.
By Kris Smith
The Stars were missing two players on the night as forwards, Jake Elmer and Ryan Valentini were ruled out of action, meanwhile Belfast iced the same squad from Friday night’s game in Northern Ireland.
However, with a scoreless first period between the two teams the night before, the goals did not take long come as Dundee opened the scoring on four minutes through Anthony Rinaldi.
The home side has launched a quick attack from their own end and veteran forward, Josh Brittain did well to protect possession with his body before picking out Rinaldi at the back post.
The Stars then quickly doubled their lead as Brendan Harms then popped up at the same post to turn home a Drydn Dow’s pass in the sixth minute and that forced Giants Head Coach, Adam Keefe to call a timeout to re-organise his team.
The short stoppage proved vital for the visitors as they answered back straight away when Ara Nazarian fired past Kevin Carr after a short stint of pressure from Belfast.
Marc LeFebvre’s men then steadied themselves and protected their lead until the first break but could have restored their two-goal cushion when they were awarded a late powerplay as Travis Brown was punished for a tripping foul.
The second session was a quieter affair as both teams battled for the next game-changing goal and it would not come until 36 minutes when Ben Lake crashed towards the Stars net and turned in Mark Cooper’s pass right on the doorstep, to convert on the powerplay as Dundee’s James Phelan was punished for a slash.
Each side were creating a number of dangerous chances and many high turnovers, but neither team was finding many open roots to goal as the defences were blocking most efforts.
In the third session, the Giants quickly took the lead as Jacob Friend’s shot from inside the blueline found its way through traffic and past Carr, then on 47 minutes, Quinn Preston made it a 4-2 game after tucking in a loose puck that was spilled by the Stars goalie.
Preston then made it a brace for himself five minutes later with a shot from the right circle that beat Carr on his glove side and the visitors would wrap up the game and the two points when Daniel Tedesco added his name to the scoresheet after 55 minutes, when he rushed through on goal and patiently waited for his chance to shoot past the Dundee keeper.
The Stars now turn their attention to league play as their Elite League campaign gets underway next weekend with a double header against Manchester Storm.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #14 James Phelan
Belfast: #43 Quinn Preston
Goals
1st:
1-0 Anthony Rinaldi (Josh Brittain) 04:25
2-0 Brendan Harms (Drydn Dow, Carter Johnson) 05:55
2-1 Ara Nazarian (Travis Brown, Quinn Preston) 06:11
2nd:
2-2 Ben Lake (Mark Cooper, Miles Gendron) 36:05 PPG
3rd:
2-3 Jacob Friend (Oliver Cooper, Johnny Curran) 42:54
2-4 Quinn Preston (Unassisted) 46:59
2-5 Quinn Preston (Unassisted) 51:54
2-6 Daniel Tedesco (Charlie Curti) 55:35
All images: Derek Black.
