Giants Return to League Action with Stars Victory

A JJ Piccinich double and goals from Mark Cooper and Jordan Boucher proved too much for the Stars, whose only goal came courtesy of Sebastian Bengtsson.

FIRST PERIOD

Any fears of a Challenge Cup hangover were assuaged at just 1:56 when Lewis Hook and Tyler Soy combined on the rush to set up Jordan Boucher on the left for a lightning wrist shot past Stars goalie Brython Preece. (1-0)

Dundee’s Kalvis Ozols sat for hooking at 4:09, and the Giants opening power play of the night was ruthless. A lasered square pass from David Goodwin to Mark Cooper at the bottom of the left circle was converted comfortably at 4:36 (Second assist: JJ Piccinich). (2-0)

Kris Inglis was next to the box for Dundee after a time out from head coach Omar Pacha. The Stars did kill his interference penalty at 9:47, but Preece was peppered by an efficient Giants power play shift.

Belfast’s third came at 14:26, when David Goodwin’s stretch pass connected with JJ Piccinich, who crossed the blue line to snipe Preece blocker side. (3-0)

Dundee’s penalty woes continued at 14:31 when Craig Moore served a tripping call, but the Stars kill unit hung on to limit the early damage.

SECOND PERIOD

The first spark of a largely uneventful second period was at 28:42 when Philippe Sanche was called for goalie interference, after a coming together with Sam Ruopp ended in a collision with Tyler Beskorowany in the crease. He was joined in the box by Gabriel Desjardins for abuse of an official, but the Stars turned away Belfast’s 5 on 3 power play.

That was followed by a Michael Poirier high sticking penalty at 32:46, which Belfast went hunting on, but the Stars turned away a barrage of close-range shots.

Dundee’s Charlie Combs was unlucky on the breakaway back at full strength, the visitors biggest chance of the period, before they finally opened their account at 37:04.

Moving well in the Giants zone, Philippe Sanche sent the puck from the boards to the slot, meeting the blade of Sebastian Bengtsson (Second assist: Timi Lahtinen). (3-1)

THIRD PERIOD

JJ Piccinich restored the three-goal lead when his wrist shot from the slot went bar down on Preece, his second goal of the game coming at 43:26 unassisted. (4-1)

The puck was in the Stars’ net once again after the drop, but Belfast’s fifth was waved off as Tyler Soy took a hooking call on the play.

As word of the Nottingham Panthers victory over the Sheffield Steelers reached the stands at the SSE Arena, there was a noticeable surge in the atmosphere as the Teal Army sang their Belfast Giants over the line- and nobody was left in doubt that focus had fully returned to a thrilling EIHL league title chase.

UP NEXT

The Belfast Giants take to the road to face the Manchester Storm in Premier Sports Elite Ice Hockey League action on Sunday afternoon at 5:30pm, before returning to Belfast for a big home double header against the Nottingham Panthers on Friday 25^th / Saturday 26^th March, both games at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale HERE!