Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Overtime strike blow for Stars
DUNDEE Stars won a point on the road in Belfast on Saturday but could have taken both after leading Giants 2-0.
However, the result still gives Stars’ play-off hopes a small boost.
The Dundee side made no changes to their roster from Friday’s defeat in Glasgow and they got off to a much better start as Lucas Brine and the Dundee defence denied a lot of shots from the Giants through the opening minutes.
Belfast then went on the powerplay in the 10th minute as Carter Johnson was called for tripping up Giants forward Kohei Sato.
However, the home team were unable to capitalise on their man advantage and Stars punished them by taking the lead on 14 minutes.
Anthony Rinaldi burst down the left wing before sticking a shot on net.
Belfast goalie Jackson Whistle could only make a pad save that played the puck out to the right and into the path of James Phelan, who fired home the rebound.
Phelan then added his name to the game sheet again two minutes later as tensions rose and he and Ciaran Long dropped the gloves and went toe-to-toe in a short bout before both players fell to the ice.
Marc LeFebvre’s men still led 1-0 at the first break but doubled their lead in the second period as Xavier Pouliot’s shot from the left wing was deflected past Whistle by his own defender in the 30th minute.
Giants called a timeout after the goal as Adam Keefe tried to reorganise his side but they were finding no joy as Brine was in inspired form.
However, Belfast got the break they were looking for as Will Cullen’s long-range effort was deflected by the stick of Greg Printz on its way to the net. That knocked the puck under Brine to make it 2-1.
The third period saw Giants make a big push for an equaliser but, as they leaned into their attack, it also created more chances for Stars going the other way.
However, neither team had much luck in front of goal.
With the two sides exchanging chance for chance, the crucial next goal was scored with less than three minutes to play in regulation time and it went to Belfast after Ara Nazarian netted at the back post.
That then forced overtime to decide a winner.
Dundee’s Ryan Valentini had a chance of a breakaway goal but his shot slipped just wide. Moments later, Nazarian bagged his second and the game-winner, firing past Brine after 92 seconds of extra time.
The much-deserved point keeps Stars tightly packed in the race for a play-off spot.
With only five games left in their regular season, their next outing sees them return to Glasgow with revenge on their mind against Clan.