Giants late show rescues two points

Photo: Derek Black

A breakaway save from Jackson Whistle, Jordan Kawaguchi equaliser, and Ben Lake overtime winner gave Belfast Giants a 4-3 overtime win in Dundee in a game where they'd trailed the Stars since the ninth minute.

Belfast controlled the pace of the first 20 minutes, outshooting the Stars 26-6. Despite this, Dundee scored the only goal of the period as Jake Elmer found the back of the net at 08:29 for his second goal of the weekend. Jonathan McBean intercepted a pass in the defensive zone, sending the puck to Elmer on a breakaway who beat Jackson Whistle with a quick wrist shot.

The second period began similarly to the first, with the Giants maintaining consistent pressure in an attempt to secure an equalising goal. Jarrett Fiske, however, displayed strong goaltending and stood tall against the high quality chances against him.  Jake Elmer scored his second goal of the game at 33:23, doubling the Stars lead after tipping a shot from the point by Kyle Pouncy past Whistle.

JJ Piccinich got the visitors on the board at 36:30, converting on Belfast’s first power play of the afternoon. Quick passing down low allowed the American to lift the puck over the pads of Fiske, netting his third goal in three games to make it 2-1.

Brendan Harms picked the puck up behind the Giants net, sending a centring pass to Spencer Naas in the slot who fired a shot past Whistle to make it 3-1 at 44:29.  Scott Conway made it a one-goal game at 54:08, beating Fiske in close for his second of the weekend. Shortly after this, Whistle denied Brendan Harms on a breakaway to keep Belfast within on - a save that kept the Giants in the game. 

Jordan Kawaguchi levelled the score and made it 3-3, tipping Mike Lee’s backhand shot past Fiske at 55:19 to send the game to overtime. 

Ben Lake completed the comeback 24 seconds into overtime, firing a loose puck past Fiske to secure the two points on Hogmanay for the Giants.