The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Giants on a revenge mission
Following Friday’s 4-3 overtime win for Dundee, an annoyed Belfast Giants team returned to the Dundee Ice Arena with a vendetta and fully exorcised any demons they had against the Stars by winning 7-0.
The home side had lost dangerman Charlie Combs and veteran defender Markus Kankaanperä before Saturday’s Elite Ice Hockey League rematch, meaning Caly Robertson was back in the line-up.
It was a closely contested opening period but the Giants went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
Mark Cooper opened the scoring on 13 minutes as he shot home a rebound following a big save by Adam Morrison and four minutes later Ben Lake converted on the powerplay with Dundee captain Drydn Dow in the sin bin for interference.
Belfast seized control of the match in the second period, but not before coach Adam Keefe was forced to swap goalkeepers after Tyler Beskorowany injured himself, meaning Jackson Whistle was called off the bench to replace him.
A game-changing moment in the 28th minute saw the Giants extend their lead to 3-0 with a second powerplay goal.
However, Dundee immediately called for a review as they claimed Tyler Soy had kicked the puck into the net but the referee’s decision stood.
Stars then appeared to suffer a blow to morale and that allowed the Northern Irish side to tighten their grip. Just over a minute after they netted their third goal, Cooper made it four and secured his brace with a finish under Morrison.
Three minutes after that, Soy was the next player to score his second to give Belfast their third powerplay goal.
Morrison had denied Slater Doggett’s slapshot but was unable to prevent the rebound bouncing off Soy and defenceman Kris Inglis and back into Stars’ net.
Dundee then lost a sixth goal on 35 minutes as JJ Piccinich turned in a rebound after Morrison made the initial save.
Stars coach Omar Pacha then sent out back-up goalie Brython Preece for the third period and he only lost one goal in a quiet final session.
Belfast’s Scott Conway rounded off the scoring at 7-0 with a first-time finish that sneaked past the keeper on 56 minutes.
Stars must now regroup ahead of Wednesday’s visit of Cardiff Devils and they will be hungry to redeem themselves.