Stars shock league leaders in 4-point weekend

Photo: Derek Black

Dundee Stars made it a four-point weekend with a well-earned 3-1 win over league leaders Belfast Giants, their first over the Giants since December 2023.

“It was pretty good, this weekend we battled hard, we’re desperate for points now so that was a good weekend for us and a good game against one of the best teams in the league,” said Cole MacDonald who hit the game-winner for the Stars in period one. "It always feels good to score a goal, especially at home in front of the crowd. That’s kind of my game, to just chip in offensively, so it feels nice to finally get one.

"Anytime you get four points out of a weekend it’s huge so we need to keep building off that and get a couple more through the rest of the season."

Spencer Naas extended his point streak to 6 in his last 4 games, as he opened the scoring at 09:24. After finding space along the left wing, Naas sent a shot through the five-hole Jackson Whistle to make it 1-0.

Dundee doubled their lead less than two minutes later at 11:10, as Cole MacDonald beat Whistle with a wrist shot from the left circle. 

Belfast generated plenty of chances within the first period, outshooting the Stars 14-9. Despite this, Richard Sabol made some key saves to keep the visitors off of the scoreboard heading into the second. 

Belfast started strong in the second period, controlling the pace of the play within the opening 10 minutes as they looked to get on the board. However, Sabol once again stood tall and denied everything put at him.

Dundee shifted the momentum in the latter half, testing Whistle with high danger chances that merely missed the back of the net as the score remained 2-0 going into the final period.

Zak Galambos got the Giants back into things with their first of the night with 11:22 to play, but less than two minutes later the Stars had re-established their two-goal advantage - the puck finding Domenico Alberga in the slot to fire home.

Sabol was a big part of the reason why the Giants couldn't add another goal as they chased the game, a fine stop on a one-timer inside the final minute securing the Stars a comfortable final 20 seconds.