Dundee Stars got here out on high within the battle for high spot in Group B of the Problem Cup with a penalty shot win over Belfast Giants on the Dundee Ice Area.
“We performed stable tonight,” started Stars’ Justin Bean. “That they had a push within the third interval however we held robust which is a optimistic. We have been capable of pull by means of 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 ultimate seconds of the interval, as Keanu Yamamoto intercepted a go and arrange Hampus Olsson on a two-on-one, however Whistle made the save to maintain the rating 1-1.
“We haven’t faired effectively in opposition to 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 have 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 stress 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 aim was confirmed following a video overview.
A double-minor penalty in opposition to 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 precise circle, forcing extra time.
“We pushed again within the third interval and managed to power extra time, however we misplaced that sport within the second interval,” summarised Kawaguchi. “We performed for possibly 40 minutes tonight, and you may’t do this on this league.
Each groups traded probabilities within the additional interval, however neither might 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 thus far this season. What’s their secret? “Belfast are a high crew that’s been good for a very long time on this league. Our means to maintain it easy and follow our construction has bee vital,” continued Bean. “Should you give them too many probabilities they’ll discover a approach to put the puck within the internet.
“We’d prefer to be constant by means of each video games on the weekend, however the final two we’ve discovered a approach to bounce again after a tough Saturday which I feel speaks volumes in regards to the character we’ve within the room. We’ve got a stable group of fellows, we persist, typically issues received’t be in your favour we we’ve to stay to our gameplan.”
Photograph: Derek Black
