Six of the Best Secures Six-Point Weekend

First Period

The Stars had an early chance out of nothing when a loose puck found its way to Craig Garrigan in front of the net but there were enough Giants bodies in the way to prevent him from getting a clean shot away. However, those Giants defenders were unable to prevent Spencer Naas from giving the hosts the lead when his puck on net took a big deflection off a Giants stick, wrong-footing Alexis Gravel and nestling in the net (1-0)

Despite this setback, the visitors – playing their third game in as many days – responded well. Scott Conway couldn’t quite force a puck home in front before Gravel made a good save to deny Benjamin Almquist. David Goodwin then robbed the puck in the neutral zone and bore down on goal, finishing beautifully on the back hand to draw the visitors level (1-1).

Goodwin and Matthew Boudens then traded slap shots that were both well stopped by the respective goalies as we entered the first intermission level at one-apiece.

Second Period

Adam Keefe’s men came out of the blocks quickly after the restart and Jake Gaudet showed some silky stick work but just couldn’t put the finishing touches on his effort. Gabe Bast was next to try his luck and forced a good save from Emil Kruse in the home goal who tipped over. Bast would have his moment soon after as Almquist prepared to exit the penalty box. With the Giants still on the man advantage, the Alberta native smashed home a one-timer from Marcus Eriksson’s pass for just his second goal of the season (1-2).

Ciaran Long tried to extend the lead before Bast tried his luck again but Kruse was equal to them both. As was Gravel at the other end when Matthew Schoonbaert came barrelling towards the net before the visitors scored a crucial goal with just 40 seconds remaining in the period. That came from Jake Gaudet who stabbed home from just in front after Jordan Kawaguchi had his path to goal blocked (1-3).

Third Period

The men from Belfast picked up where they left off at the end of the second period and scored a fourth just 34 seconds in as Nicolas Guay mopped after Dryden Dow had done well to dispossess Gaudet in front of the net (1-4).

That goal clearly dented the hosts’ confidence and the men in white kept up the pressure with Kawaguchi and Guay going close to adding to the lead. However, to their credit, the Stars did continue to create chances and Gravel had to be alert to repel Kameron Kielly on the breakaway.

Good work from Gabe Bast and a first professional point for Carter Hamill sent JJ Piccinich racing away and he put the puck between the legs of Kruse for a fifth Giants goal (1-5). They weren’t finished there either as a clinical Sunday on Tayside was wrapped up by Ryan Smith who finished after a lovely drop pass from Karl Boudrias at the back boards (1-6).

Up Next

Next Sunday will see the reverse of this fixture as the Giants welcome the Stars to The SSE Arena. A limited amount of tickets are still available and can be purchased here.