Published Thursday, 05 January 2012
Following victory in Dundee on Monday night past, your Stena Line Belfast Giants extended to a perfect five and zero against Brent Hughes and his Stars in 2011/12.
One nil down to an AJ MacLean goal approaching the end of the second period, it was record breaking home-town Giant, Graeme Walton that finally broke Chris Whitley's resolve with the well worked equaliser and just 110 seconds later Tom Dignard blasted home for a lead the Giants never surrendered.
Robert Dowd extended the advantage with a short-handed effort before Stephen Murphy took centre stage stoning Jeff John Hutchins after top referee Moray Hanson had called a penalty shot for the home side with little over a minute remaining on the clock.
Dundee then pulled Whitley for the extra attacker but it was Robert Dowd that rounded out proceedings, filling the empty net for a 4-1 road win that kept the Giants three points clear of the chasing pack.
With just under half the season remaining the Stars sit well outside the last playoff spot and it seems they will be fighting it out with local rivals Fife Flyers for the dreaded wooden spoon.
One of the bright spots in what has been a struggle to date is the form of Canadian right winger Jarett Konkle.
New to the Elite League, Konkle has spent the last five seasons in the ECHL, most recently with the Stockton Thunder where he helped them to a playoff berth with 17 goals and a further 17 assists in his 39 regular season games.
While the current crop of talent may be underperforming the junior situation in Tayside is a lot brighter.
Defence man Steven Chambers, 19, has just returned from representing Great Britain at the World under 20 Championships in Germany and he was quick to praise his team-mates and the Stars management for helping elevate his game to an extent that he became Scotland's only representative in the National Squad.
Stars Head Coach Brent Hughes was quick to praise the youngster for his achievements and said:
"Steven is a model professional both off and on the ice and his inclusion in the GB under 20 squad is just reward for the hard work and ability he has shown throughout his time here. I have had reports back from the GB coach and he has stated that Steven was in fact one of the stand out players in the British camp and everyone here at the Dundee CCS Stars are delighted for him."
Also bursting his way into the Dundee senior ranks is 17-year-old Jordan Cownie.
He has also been called for a trail with the GB under 18 squad after impressing at a tournament where he featured for the Scottish side of the same age group.
Jordan has also attracted the attention of Brent Hughes and the youngster has been invited to train with the Stars during the winter break, much to the delight of the top-scoring teenager.
Cownie will have company on his way to the Sheffield trials as joining him will be 17-year-old James Smith who has already at played 19 times for the Stars this season.