Stars Shine Brightest on Opening Night

First Period

Alexis Gravel was the first keeper to be called into action when he tipped Hampus Olsson’s effort over. However, the hosts got into the groove and efforts from Carter Hamill, Ben Lake and Bo Hanson came close. On 04:35, Keanu Yamamoto was sat down for slashing and the Giants clinically took advantage through JJ Piccinich. He clinically rifled home Mike Lee’s set-up to open the scoring (1-0).

However, the Giants would soon be punished on a penalty kill of their own. With Karl Boudrias penalised for interference, the Stars levelled proceedings thanks to Kameron Kielly. (1-1). Dundee continued the pressure after this goal with Morten Jurgens and Matt Berry making nuisances of themselves. Jake Gaudet had a chance for Adam Keefe’s men and they successfully killed a penalty when Scott Conway was sent to the box for tripping.

However, just as it looked as though we would go into the first intermission all square, Marc LeFebvre’s side struck with just seven seconds remaining. It was Berry who finished in front of Gravel from Benjamin Almquist’s pass. (1-2)

Second Period

The hosts started the second period with gusto in search of an equaliser and came close on a couple of occasions, most notably Jordan Kawaguchi striking the post. However, it was another successful man advantage that brought about the second goal. With Matthew Boudens in the penalty box, Mike Lee teed up Nicolas Guay who smashed home to tie us up at two (2-2). However, parity lasted less than a minute as the Stars retook their lead through the afore-mentioned Olsson. (2-3)

The hosts were gifted another man-advantage when Kris Inglis was called for holding. They set about scoring a third powerplay goal but disaster struck at the other end. Gravel came a long way out of his crease to retrieve a loose puck but only succeeded in gifting it straight to Bradley Schoonbaert who gave Jackson Desouza an empty net for a short-handed goal. (2-4).

That was enough for Adam Keefe to bring in Jackson Whistle between the pipes as he looked to settle his team down. They did, in fact, get that third powerplay goal as, with Craig Moore out of action for slashing, Jake Gaudet tipped home Lee’s shot to reduce the deficit to one again going into the second intermission. (3-4)

Third Period

Once again, the boys in teal came out of the blocks fast at the beginning of the period and Conway was a post’s width away from another equaliser. It was a familiar feeling though for Belfast as, with Guay now in the penalty box, Almquist took advantage with an unassisted effort (3-5).

The hosts did, once again, cut the deficit to one thanks to Gaudet’s second of the night (4-5) but there was to be no grand comeback as the Stars opened up an unassailable lead with goals from Matthew Boudens (4-6) and Justin Bean (4-7). That made it a disappointing opening night of domestic action for the Giants as they will look to bounce back in Fife tomorrow (Sunday) with face-off at 5pm.

Up Next

Hockey returns to The SSE Arena next Saturday 20 September as the Flyers are in town. That game starts at 7pm and tickets can be purchased here.