Stars edged out on penalties as Edinburgh win cup clash

Dundee Stars were edged out on penalties by Edinburgh Capitals last night to make it a mixed opening weekend for Omar Pacha’s side.

Russian left-wing Igor Valeev scored the game-winner for the capital side, with the 36-year-old former St Louis Blues draft pick slotting home to provide Capitals with a confidence-boosting Challenge Cup victory.

The result came 24 hours after Riley Stadel had secured a penalty shots victory for Stars over Belfast Giants to get the new-look Dundee team off to a flyer in the cup competition.

The visitors took Pacha’s side to the wire and only a late leveller took the game into overtime then penalty shots.

Under-strength Stars – who are still missing three key players and had not played a pre-season challenge game – and Giants kept things tight as they both looked for their first points of the season.

It was the Belfast outfit who broke the deadlock when Glasgow-born Colin Shields, the Giants’ skipper, slotted the opener on a breakaway.

Stadel then brought Pacha’s men on level terms with a wrist shot that flew into Jackson W hist le’ s net but Brendan Connolly put the visitors ahead for a second time with a well-taken finish.

Giants looked to be heading for a valuable win until Stars forward Adam Harding was in the right place at the right time to ruin the travelling fans’ celebrations.

His equaliser 26 seconds from time set up a tense finish and 21-year-old Stadel had the fans on their feet when he slotted a penalty shot as Giants missed all theirs.

Meanwhile, Fife Flyers lost 4-1 to Danish side Herlev Eagles with Canadian Liam Heelis providing their only joy in the pre-season challenge match.

The Fifers had won the first game of the double-header 3-1 on Saturday.

Stars players celebrate Adam Harding’s goal.