Dundee Stars got here out on prime within the battle for prime spot in Group B of the Problem Cup with a penalty shot win over Belfast Giants on the Dundee Ice Area.
“We performed strong tonight,” started Stars’ Justin Bean. “That they had a push within the third interval however we held sturdy which is a constructive. We had been in a position to pull by and I’m pleased with each our consistency and our persistence tonight.”
Matt Berry opened the scoring for Dundee at 06:04, reacting first to a rebound after Jackson DeSouza’s level shot was saved by Jackson Whistle. Belfast equalised on the powerplay three minutes later, when Jordan Kawaguchi deflected J.J. Piccinich’s shot from the excessive slot previous Jarrett Fiske at 09:43.
The Stars nearly regained the lead within the last seconds of the interval, as Keanu Yamamoto intercepted a cross and arrange Hampus Olsson on a two-on-one, however Whistle made the save to maintain the rating 1-1.
“We haven’t faired properly towards Dundee this season,” admitted Giants’ Jordan Kawaguchi. “The primary interval was good however not nice, after which we let issues get away for us. Credit score to Dundee, they performed sport tonight.”
Dundee managed a lot of the second interval and had been rewarded at 25:32 when Morten Jürgens broke in alone and fired a shot over Whistle’s glove to make it 2-1. Kameron Kielly prolonged the lead at 35:43, scoring from shut vary after sustained strain within the Giants’ zone.
Ryan Smith pulled one again for Belfast at 44:44, however Olsson restored the two-goal lead at 47:04 after Yamamoto’s drive to the web created a rebound. The purpose was confirmed following a video overview.
A double-minor penalty towards Bradley Schoonbaert gave the Giants an opportunity to reply, and Kawaguchi scored his second of the sport at 48:26. Nicolas Guay tied the sport at 53:35 with a shot from the appropriate circle, forcing time beyond regulation.
“We pushed again within the third interval and managed to drive time beyond regulation, however we misplaced that sport within the second interval,” summarised Kawaguchi. “We performed for perhaps 40 minutes tonight, and you’ll’t try this on this league.
Each groups traded possibilities within the further interval, however neither may discover a winner. Within the shootout, Drydn Dow and Otto Nieminen scored for the Stars, whereas Fiske stopped each Belfast makes an attempt to safe the 5-4 victory and two Problem Cup factors for Dundee.
The Stars have crushed the Giants in three of three conferences to date this season. What’s their secret? “Belfast are a prime staff that’s been good for a very long time on this league. Our skill to maintain it easy and persist with our construction has bee essential,” continued Bean. “Should you give them too many possibilities they’ll discover a technique to put the puck within the internet.
“We’d wish to be constant by each video games on the weekend, however the final two we’ve discovered a technique to bounce again after a tough Saturday which I believe speaks volumes concerning the character we have now within the room. We now have a strong group of fellows, we persist, generally issues received’t be in your favour we we have now to stay to our gameplan.”
Picture: Derek Black
