Dan’s the Man as Hat-Trick Hero Sinks Stars

The Italian international winger rapped in three goals to continue his red-hot scoring run while, at the other end, the netminder turned away 41 of the 43 shots he faced to keep the dangerous home side at bay and complete a perfect weekend across the water.

First period

Jake Elmer had an early chance for the Stars as he drove towards the crease but Beskorowany deflected it wide before Anthony Rinaldi was unable to get the touch on Craig Garrigan’s centring feed, with the Scottish forward then denied by a superb save from Beskorowany as he was left all alone in front of goal but couldn’t direct Jonathan McBean’s pass beyond the netminder.

The chances kept coming, Rinaldi almost tipping in Tommy Parrottino’s aerial pass to the back post and then Stars netminder Lucas Brine - 28 saves - sprawling to keep Henrik Eriksson at bay, and it was the Dundee goalie who made the best save of the period as he gloved down what looked like an Eriksson tap-in off a brilliant Oliver Cooper feed.

But the Giants would take the lead before the first intermission as a tripping call against Brendan Harms on Tedesco was turned into a goal as the same man snapped in the one-timer off a deflected Ciaran Long pass at 13:32 (0-1), although the hosts did push back and they got their equaliser at 17:34 as a Jacob Friend slashing minor was punished when Rinaldi deposited the rebound off a giveaway in the Belfast zone. (1-1)

Second period

An off the puck hit on Eriksson from James Phelan riled up the Giants and Tedesco responded in perfect fashion by completing his hat-trick, pulling them ahead again at 23:01 when he played the one-two with Blake Speers and went top corner for his second of the night (1-2), and then making it a treble on the powerplay at 25:07 as Chris McKay sat for high-sticking and the winger went top shelf from the mid-slot. (1-3)

Dundee did have a small pushback as Carter Johnson drove in on Beskorowany but was denied, and Ryan Valentini could only find the shoulder of the netminder with two quickfire chances, while a tripping call against Parrottino led to Brine making a huge save to block a shot on the doorstep from Matt McLeod.

Third period

Belfast burst out of the blocks early in the final frame and Tedesco nearly turned provider as he sent Roach in on goal but his shot was saved by Brine and instead the Stars made it a one-goal game as a boarding penalty against Friend was punished, Harms getting the deftest of touches to take it low and in at 45:52. (2-3)

Beskorowany once again had to be huge when Elmer got free at the blue line and he skated in on the netminder but he made the save, while at the other end a roughing call against Josh Brittain couldn’t see the Giants take advantage and get an insurance goal as the minutes ticked down.

Try as they might, though, the Stars would be unable to break through the Belfast wall in front of them, even with Brine pulled for the extra skater, and the visitors were able to hold on for the victory and a four-point weekend in Scotland.

Next up

The Stena Line Belfast Giants prepare for back-to-back games against the Manchester Storm in Altrincham on Wednesday 14 February and then in Belfast on Sunday 18 February. Tickets available here.