By Kris Smith
The Stars continue their busy preseason schedule with another exhibition match against the Northern Irish club and last night the two sides met in Belfast.
A fast start from the home team saw the Giants run-off into a 4-0 lead after 11 minutes, but Dundee got off the mark shortly after and exchanged goals with the Giants, before the first period ended 5-2.
A 1-1 score line in the second period kept Belfast within touching distance heading into the third period, but three more goals by the Giants saw them push on to claim a 9-4 victory, in the end.
Romans Semjonovs was the first Dundee player to find the back of the net and he ended the night with a brace, after scoring on the powerplay in the third period.
Philippe Sanche and Hugo Reinhardt were the Stars other two scorers, with Sanche collecting three points and Welsh goaltender, Brython Preece also producing some fine saves throughout the match.
Adam Keefe gave the start to new goaltender, Peyton Jones and saw plenty of offence from his side, who are deep into their Champions Hockey League preparations.
On the Belfast scoresheet was; Ben Lake (2), David Gilbert, Jeff Baum, Tyler Soy, Scott Conway, Gabe Bast. David Goodwin and Ciaran Long.
Only netminder. Anton Svensson and forward, Ben Sokay were missing from the Stars line-up last night, as the pair are yet to arrive.
Discussing tonight’s home match against Belfast, Dundee defenseman, Kris Inglis said: “I have been itching to get back out onto that ice in front of the home fans tonight.
“The crowds that we had and all the support from the fans last year was the best I have ever seen during my time here and obviously I have been telling that to the guys who are new to this group, and letting them know that the fans are always the extra man out there pushing us on.
“The guys have got a real buzz and are looking forward to tonight and I am sure the fans will show us exactly what they are made of and push us on.”
After last night’s defeat, Inglis reaffirmed his belief in sticking to the plan and continuing to build chemistry this weekend, adding: “In the first week, there is obviously going to be some teething issues with new guys coming in and getting used to the Olympic sheet and our system.
“The way we have been working this week, the execution has been high and Jeff has us working the way that he wants us to do things.
“We need to stick to that and play a good shutdown game, because we saw again last night that they are still very offensively talented.
“If we move our feet, use our speed and give them no time on the puck then I am sure we will have a lot of success.
“It is massive, but it is not the be all and end all this weekend, we are obviously still all getting used to each other and as long as we stick to the way we want to play and execute then the result will come.”
Face-off for tonight’s match is at 5pm and you can purchase your tickets HERE.
