Late Nazarian double wins it for Giants

Photo: Philip Magowan

Belfast Giants came from two goals down to beat Dundee 3-2 in overtime, the Stars moving level on points with the playoff places but not moving back in after giving up the lead.

A crowd of 7,0006 saw Dundee score the only goal of the opening period. Jackson Whistle made the save off Anthony Rinaldi's shot, but the rebound fell kindly to James Phelan who scored with a deflection off the Giants' goalie. 

The Giants wasted a powerplay chance early in period two before then finding themselves two down. Against the run of play, Anthony Rinaldi's shot on net deflected in front off Xavier Pouliot to double the Stars' lead. Adam Keefe called his timeout to fire his side up, and they responded with a goal 2:17 before the end of the period - Will Cullen's pass across the face of Lucas Brine's goal deflected home by the returning Greg Printz. 

Brine was a thorn in the side of the Giants all night and pulled off a string of excellent saves in the third period especially to keep the Stars ahead. The visitors' resistance was eventually broken when a no-look pass from Ciaran Long found Ara Nazarian to tie the game with 3:28 to play. 

Dundee were worthy of at least a point, but all of the momentum heading into overtime was with the Giants. Anthony Rinaldi could have won it in bonus hockey but for a late intervention, but it was Nazarian who scored the game winner 92 seconds into OT to seal the Giants' comeback.