Belfast take chances to add to Dundee woe

Stars’ poor run of form in the Elite League continued last night at the hands of a clinical Giants side.

The home team were dominant early on and opened the scoring on eight minutes after killing a penalty. Patryk Wronka slid the puck between the legs of Alex Leclerc after being played in by Lewis Hook.

Stars were not behind for long as Matt Marquardt beat Shane Owen. The goal was awarded following a review after the puck bounced out.

Jordan Smotherman flicked a shot into the top right corner of Leclerc’s net to put the Giants back in front on 12 minutes.

The rest of the action in the first period was all back and forth but, inside the final two minutes, Dundee defender Shawn Boutin was called for hooking and Adam Keefe’s side capitalised on the man advantage to increase their lead just 28 seconds before the break.

It was again Smotherman who found the net as he reacted quickest to tap in after Leclerc let a shot slip through his grasp.

Omar Pacha’s men made the perfect start to the second period as Elgin Pearce followed up Anthony Beauregard’s shot to score into a wideopen net after just 33 seconds.

Despite Dundee putting pressure on the Northern Irish side, it was Matt Pelech who scored Belfast’s fourth goal in the 28th minute.

Both sides pushed for the next goal, but it was the home team that gave themselves breathing room as Hook turned in the rebound from Paul Swindlehurst’s shot after 37 minutes.

With Pearce in the penalty box for a slashing foul, Giants again took full advantage. Jean Dupuy got the crucial touch on Pelech’s shot to send the puck past Leclerc inside the final minute of the second session.

Beauregard was called for hooking with one second left, leaving Stars shorthanded to start the third period.

Emotions spilled over two minutes into the final period as Pearce and Dupuy dropped the gloves and went toeto-toe with punches landed.

Keefe’s side rounded off the scoring in the 47th minute with Jesse Forsberg’s effort fooling Leclerc.

Dundee have no time to dwell on the defeat as they return home for tonight’s match against Glasgow Clan at 7pm.

Fife Flyers visit Nottingham Panthers tonight before returning home to host Sheffield Steelers tomorrow.

Matt Marquardt: Scored for Stars.