Hart’s late strike seals Stars win in Belfast five-goal thriller

ICE HOCKEY: Dundee end year with comeback win on Belfast ice

BELFAST GIANTS 2 DUNDEE STARS 3

Dundee Stars rounded off the year with a 3-2 away victory against Elite League leaders Belfast Giants last night.

Brian Hart was the Dundee hero with two goals, the winner coming eight minutes from time to ensure Omar Pacha’s men head into 2019 in the seventh play-off spot.

The home side took the lead after Kyle Baun delayed his cut-back to Dustin Johner and the Giants forward put it past Pontus Sjögren in the third minute.

Charles Corcoran almost drew Dundee level immediately as he jabbed away at a loose puck under Belfast goalie Tyler Beskorowany but a whistle ended the chance.

A slashing penalty against David Rutherford gave Pacha’s Stars a chance to draw level in the seventh minute. However, Giants’ penalty killing unit were in fine form and soon the chance expired.

Belfast added a second goal as Blair Riley linked up with Darcy Murphy and Murphy got ahead of the Stars defence before redirecting the puck past the Dundee goalie in the ninth minute.

Dundee got off the mark thanks to Corcoran as he moved in on the Giants goal before lifting a shot over Beskorowany in the 13th minute.

After 16 minutes Fabrizio Ricci took Dundee’s first penalty as a high-sticking call left the forward out of action for two minutes.

Murphy was the next to head to the sin bin as a holding call against the Belfast winger gave Stars a chance to tie the game in the final minutes of the first period.

It did not take long before Brian Hart drew them level and with just 22 seconds left on the clock the American forward slotted home from the edge of the Belfast goal crease.

Adam Keefe’s men had an opportunity to regain the lead early in the second period but Johner failed to hit the target on a breakaway.

Dundee were given their next chance on the man advantage in the 46th minute as Jim Vandermeer, who was playing his 1,000th career game, picked up crosschecking and abuse of official minor penalties.

This left Dundee on a four-minute powerplay but they could not use the extra skater advantage to move in front.

Stars did take the lead, however, as Hart bagged a brace with a low shot that beat Beskorowany in the 52nd minute.

Patrick Dwyer came close to equalising for Belfast but his shot hit Sjögren in the head before falling wide of the goal.

Belfast’s Curtis Leonard rattled the crossbar in the final minutes but Pacha’s side held firm to claim two valuable road points.

Stars are next in action on Wednesday when they play Glasgow Clan.

Derek Black. Brian Hart, right, grabbed a brace as Omar Pacha’s men ended 2018 with a win in Belfast.