New Year Giants Comeback Stuns Stars.
Trailing 2-0 – the Stena Line Belfast Giants posted an impressive comeback away from home to win their first game of the new year. With the Dundee Stars leading thanks to a double from Matt Carter – the Giants responded through an impressive Shane Owen display and goals from Elgin Pearce, Ben Lake and David Goodwin.
With Thursday’s win – the Giants now sit third in the standings with 38 points from 30 games, two points behind the Cardiff Devils with 40 points from 28 games and five points behind the Sheffield Steelers with 43 points from 32 games.
Shane Owen started in the Belfast net, posting 37 saves, with the Giants missing Kevin Raine and Pat Mullen.
With the time almost up on an even opening period in Dundee, the hosts took a 1-0 lead into the intermission thanks to some fortune. Shawn Boutin’s shot on goal appeared to be heading wide only for the puck to deflect off Matt Carter and into the Giants net at 18:47.
Dundee doubled their lead at 22:15 – taking advantage of the man advantage when Liam Morgan was called for High-Sticking. Matt Carter picked up on the loose puck behind the Belfast goal and finished with a fine wraparound, unassisted.
Belfast got a special teams goal of their very own when Reilly O’Connor was called for Holding. The Giants worked the puck well around the Stars zone and, after nice work by Curtis Hamilton and Ryan Lowney, Elgin Pearce hammered home at 26:02.
The game was all tied up at 42:27. David Goodwin chased down the Dundee defenceman, won the turnover and the puck fell to Elgin Pearce who picked out the onrushing Ben Lake to slot home.
The Giants snatched a late winner thanks to David Goodwin after Ben Lake and Elgin Pearce skated the puck away from danger in their own end and created space for Goodwin to turn and fire into the corner of the Stars net at 57:54.
Final ScoreDundee Stars 2-3 Stena Line Belfast Giants
Giants Player of the Game#50 Shane Owen (37 Saves)
Next up for the Giants is back-to-back home games against the Coventry Blaze this Saturday, face-off 7pm, and Sunday, face-off 4pm, at The SSE Arena. Tickets are now on sale at: Ticketmaster.ie
