Giants respond with win in Dundee

Photo: Derek Black

Three goals in under 10 minutes across the final two periods helped Belfast Giants get past Dundee Stars by a 5-2 scoreline, ending their trip to Scotland with a win after Friday's defeat in Glasgow.

"Overall I thought it was pretty solid besides the penalties, we did take a lot of penalties they capitalised on a couple of them. I think we need to be better in that area but overall we competed and did the little things right," said Giants forward Elijiah Barriga, who had a pair of goals on the night. "Kudos to my teammates, they help me. Just working hard, creating plays and going to the net."

A Jeff Baum goal was the difference between the teams in the opening 20 minute at the Dundee Ice Arena – the Giants defenseman shooting past Jarrett Fiske 2:55 into the game off an offensive zone faceoff win. The Giants controlled the remainder of the opening period, denying the Stars any solid scoring chances and outshooting them 17-5 in the process.

The Stars capitalised on an early power play to open the period, equalising the score at 22:08 as Cole MacDonald beat Jackson Whistle with a wrist shot through traffic.

Scott Conway found himself alone in the high slot, and fired a shot onto Fiske. The Stars’ netminder made an initial save, however JJ Piccinich collected the rebound and once again regained the lead at 28:10.

A second power play opportunity of the period for Dundee once again allowed them to level the score, as Drydn Dow’s shot from the point was tipped into the net by Brendan Harms at 31:41.

As it looked like the score would remain 2-2 heading into the third period, a late 5-on-3 opportunity presented itself for the Giants, who wasted no time regaining the lead at 38:22. Elijiah Barriga tipped the rebound past Fiske on a shot from JJ Piccinich, scoring against his former team and sending Belfast up 3-2 heading into the final period. 

The middle period was notable for two excellent saves, one by each goalie. Jackson Whistle made an incredible glove save to stop the Stars going 3-2 ahead, one that will be hard to be for save of the week, while at the other end Fiske cooly stopped a breakaway with a quick glove.

Barriga got his second of the night 3:42 into the third period, while Bobo Carpenter struck almost exactly four minutes later to give the visitors a healthy cushion. Marc LeFebvre called his timeout after that goal, but despite two late penalty on the Giants in the period, the Giants took the win without further scoring.