Stars strike late to beat Giants

(Photos: Derek Black)

Dundee Stars stayed at the top of Challenge Cup Group A thanks to a 4-3 home win against Belfast Giants – completing a double over the defending champions in the competition.

The Giants went ahead early, taking the lead through Jean Dupuy with 8:34 gone. Dundee were level though just under nine minutes later, Player of the Month Kevin Dufour given too much time to skate into the zone and deke around Shane Owen. 

Ben Lake re-established the Giants’ advantage 2:45 into period two, but 1:17 later the Stars were level again – Duncan Speirs unmarked at the back host for a simple tap-in.

The go-ahead goal for the Giants in period three came from Curtis Hamilton, who shot from a tight angle after a face-off to score a goal Alex Leclerc would probably want back. Dundee equalised after some patient passing eventually put the puck on Colton Kroeker’s stick to fire home with just under five minutes to go. Then, with 1:58 to go Egils Kalns’ shot from the point was deflected in by Kroeker from close range to give the Stars their first lead of the night.

It was a lead they wouldn’t surrender and held on to take the win. Belfast meanwhile remain winless on the road this season.

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