Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
ROUND-UP Dramatic finish sees Stars slay Giants at DIA
DUNDEE Stars got their Elite League season off to a winning start when they came from behind to beat Belfast Giants in their Challenge Cup game in Dundee Ice Arena.
Stars came back from 2-1 down to level with 26 seconds left before winning both points after a penalty shootout.
The first period faced off with Giants having an early chance.
However, Stars’ goaltender, Travis Fullerton, was alert to foil the Ulstermen’s chance.
The visitors made the breakthrough when Steve Saviano set up Colin Shields to score.
Stars were giving a good account against Giants, who outshot the home team 16-13 in the opening session.
The Taysiders started the second period well but couldn’t find a way past Jackson Whistle in the Belfast nets.
In 23 minutes, Stars had the first powerplay of the game when Jim Vandermeer was awarded two minutes f or boarding. However, Giants killed the play.
Seconds later, Dundee made it 1-1 when Riley Stadel netted with an assist from Taylor Dickin.
In 28 minutes, Stars’ Cameron McGiffin was sent to the penalty box on a twominute minor for slashing but Belfast failed to take advantage of the extra man.
Giants then scored to take the lead just seconds later when Brendan Connolly netted to make it 2-1.
He then became the villain in 33 minutes when given a two minute minor for elbows to give Dundee a powerplay opportunity.
Just one minute later, Spiro Goulakos joined him in the penalty box on a two-minute interference call giving the home side a five on three chance.
Giants were losing their cool and Dustin Johner joined his two team-mates in the bin for slashing.
Despite constant pressure from Dundee, they failed to capitalise on the extra men as Belfast held out to keep their one-goal advantage.
Four minutes into the third stanza, Stars were again on the powerplay after Giants’ Jonathan Ferland was awarded two minutes for interference. However, for the fifth time, Stars failed to take advantage of the extra man.
Belfast then killed another powerplay in 48 minutes after Connolly received his second penalty of the game, this time for roughing.
With just 26 seconds remaining came a dramatic equaliser after Stars pulled goalie Fullerton in favour of the extra skater.
It paid off when Adam Harding squared the game at 2-2 to take it into suddendeath overtime.
The bulk of the pressure came from Giants but, with no further scoring, the game went to penalty shots to decide the extra point.
Riley Stadel scored with his penalty while Giants missed their three to give the home side a 3-2 win.
Dundee coach Omar Pacha, while delighted with the result, will be looking to improve on his special teams as Stars came up blank in all six of their powerplays.
However, they were four men down and, with just one week’s practice, it was a great result against what was a strong Belfast side.
Omar said: “I am happy with the outcome of the game and the overall process we had throughout.
“They came out strong in the first period, as we knew they would but we carried a bit of luck.
“In the second period, we were making mistakes and they had the momentum. However, our goalie was great.
“In the third period, we had a lot more energy, found our composure and made better decisions with the puck.”