The Stars came on strong in the last few minutes but any other result other than a Giants win in this one would have been cruel.

Ciaran Long’s goal sends the Giants to the Challenge Cup semi-finals as they are guaranteed to win Group B with two games in hand.

But this game was all about the team effort starting with netminder Tom McCollum who pitched a second shut-out in five nights and now has only conceded three goals in his last four starts.

That will win you a lot of games.

Tom McCollum continues to look comfortable in the net for the Giants.

He pulls out the save of the game to rob Alexander Tonge on a clean breakaway.

12:08 remaining in the game

Ciaran Long brings the home supporters to their feet with a one-timer from the top of the right circle.

15:03 to go

Image source, Press Eye

Twenty minutes left of another tight game in Belfast this week.

Remember a win for the Giants clinches a semi-final spot in the Challenge Cup.

The Stars need a victory to realistically keep alive their hopes in the competition.

A lot to play for….

Second period finishes scoreless but with another scrum.

These two sides have seen a lot of each other in the early stages of the season and they don’t seem to like each other much.

Giants will be frustrated as they’ve out-shot the Stars 31-12.

The Stars were going to get a powerplay to begin the third period but Zachary Tsekos with an ill-advised charge after the buzzer went means we’ll start with some 4-on-4 hockey.

Image source, Press Eye

Best chance of the game for the visitors.

Philippe Sanche, on the doorstep, misses the net.

The Giants are dominating the game but can’t find a goal.

Bo Hanson’s effort rings the post as they come close once more.

Giants thought they had the lead when Elijah Barriga tipped in a blueline shot.

After review the officials say ‘no goal’ presumably for a high-stick.

Two slashes, ref calls the retaliatory one by Giants Grant Mismash.

Stars to the powerplay

Who will break the deadlock?

Second period underway here at the SSE Arena in Belfast.

Image source, Press Eye

The pace of play certainly quieted down after the flashpoint following the hit on Scott Conway which suited Dundee who certainly had more of the play.

Giants have out-shot the Stars 15-4 but for the third home game this week have nothing to show for it at the end of 20 minutes.

Image source, Press Eye

It’s been high tempo stuff through the first ten minutes with the Giants in charge in terms of chances created.

As Scott Conway skates to the bench he ends up face down on the ice - accidental hit or not it sparks a scrum with punches thrown in front of the Dundee bench.

Mack Stewart is involved and his extra two minutes puts Dundee on the powerplay

Image source, Press Eye

After a night off Tom McCollum returns as netminder for the Belfast Giants while Jarrett Fiske gets the start for Dundee.

Ben Lake is suspended for the Giants so Mack Stewart comes into the line-up.

The puck is dropped and we are underway…..

It’s a game that both sides could do with winning for different reasons.

If the Belfast Giants take the two points they clinch top spot in Challenge Cup Group B and a place in the semi-finals.

If the Stars are to have a realistic chance of catching Glasgow and finishing second and therefore a play-off with the third place team from Group A, then they need the victory.

So a lot on the line with both sides winning last night - the Giants with a 5-3 victory over Fife and Dundee clinched an overtime win over Coventry.

This should be a fun game….

Image source, BBC Sport