Giants Produce Star Performance in Dundee

Gabe Bast and David Goodwin scored just 66 seconds apart in the opening frame and Jake Gaudet and Jordan Kawaguchi both struck in the final period to pick up the two points, aided by a brilliant 27-save display from netminder Jackson Whistle.

First Period

A tepid start from the two teams eventually burst into life when the Giants fashioned the first chance, a good defensive intervention preventing Ben Lake from finding a team-mate on a three-on-one break, while at the other end Matt Berry almost scored a stunning individual goal for the Stars but was denied by Jackson Whistle after cutting through the Belfast defence.

The Giants survived some good work from the Stars as Rio Page nearly set up Kameron Kielly with a pass back in front, but two quick goals gave the Giants a comfortable advantage as first Bast tapped in at the back post when Marcus Eriksson’s shot was deflected to his stick at 15:57 (0-1), and then Goodwin doubled that lead at 17:03 when he finished off from Mike Lee going around the back of the net (0-2).

Jackson Whistle then came up with a big moment just before the intermission as Hampus Olsson went in one-on-one with the netminder with only a handful of seconds to go, but Whistle made a massive save to deny the Swedish star.

Second period

The Giants killed off the first penalty of the game with ease as Reid Irwin sat for hooking, and the visitors then set about trying to add to their lead as Bo Hanson almost stuffed one shortside on Emil Kruse before Scott Conway drew a stunning glove save from the netminder when he fired from the mid-slot.

But a second powerplay wouldn’t be wasted by the Stars as Ciaran Long headed off for tripping and Spencer Naas made the Giants pay with a thunderous shot from the right circle at 34:10 (1-2), and that seemed to wake up the home side, who threatened twice quickly through Keanu Yamamoto.

It looked like for all the money in the world that Belfast would restore their two-goal lead before the break as Nicolas Guay was found all alone in front of goal, only for Kruse to produce a stunning glove save to deny the winger, and then he did the same to prevent Eriksson from striking on the break.

Third period

Having been denied twice at the end of the second period, just 13 seconds after the restart the Giants grabbed their third goal, Gaudet rifling in straight off a face-off (1-3), and but for Kruse it could have been more as the goaltender once again kept Eriksson at bay after Irwin’s smart feed into the slot.

But the fourth came on the powerplay as a high-sticking call on Berry led to Kawaguchi tipping in JJ Piccinich’s pass at 49:14 to extend the lead even further (1-4), and Kruse made another impressive stop to avoid the damage getting even worse as Lee had a go from the left circle.

With the three-goal lead, the Giants were able to see things out in comfort, with Whistle making a couple of big stops on Berry and Naas right at the end to ensure he would only be beaten once on the night.