Gilbert wins it for Giants in OT

Photo: William Cherry

David Gilbert's second goal of the game was enough to warn Belfast Giants a 5-4 Premier Sports Challenge Cup win over Dundee Stars in front of 4,104 spectators at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

Period one ended all square with a goal for each side. Scott Conway capitalised on a stretch pass to put the Giants ahead inside seven minutes, however when Romans Semjonovs was left all alone in the slot he tied the game at 13:04.

18 seconds into period two, Elijah Barriga saw his 1-on-0 attempt saved, but Philippe Sanche was on hand to tap home the rebound and put Dundee ahead. It took 10 minutes for the Giants to hit back through Ciaran Long, but the Stars would still lead after 40 minutes - Barriga converting a penalty shot at 35:28.

Excellent hands from Will Cullen allowed him to deke his coverage and play in David Gilbert for the Giants' equaliser 4:20 into the third period and make it 3-3. Sanche capitalised on a poor pass from Chad Butcher to skate through on a breakaway and beat Peyton Jones for a fourth time on the night to put Dundee back ahead with 10:23 remaining, however Mark Cooper tied the game 31 seconds later after Anton Svesson had lost sight of the puck on a rebound.

Both sides took a point with the score tied after 60 minutes, but in overtime it was Gilbert's finish from a tight angle that won it for the Giants 1:39 into bonus time.