New signing Scott Brannon claimed two goals as Dundee Stars went down 6-2 at Belfast Giants last night.
The Dundee outfit were twice ahead at 1-0 new signing Brannon netting after 35 seconds and 2-1 after the same player netted again in 26 minutes, but the home side fired five unanswered goals to take the points and end Dundee’s hopes of a third straight win.
Brannon’s shock opener came after he was set up by Justin Faryna and Kevin Hart but Mike Radja levelled after 14 minutes.
His second also involved Faryna but Michael Forney levelled after 32 minutes while Belfast had a man in the sin bin.
It was downhill thereafter for Marc Lefebvre’s side. Brandon Benedict added a third and Jonathan Boxill the fourth early in the final session to ensure there was no way back for the visitors.
Chris Higgins increased the home side’s advantage two minutes later and Kris Beech completed the scoring with less than two minutes remaining.
The game which attracted 3,110 fans was a setback for Lefebvre, who had hoped to continue the good work of last weekend when Stars claimed back-to-back wins over Edinburgh Capitals.
Now the Canadian playcaller must re-group ahead of Saturday’s visit to in-form Manchester Storm.
Meanwhile LeFebvre is already recruiting for next season and club bosses want fans to commit their support to back his plans.
Defenceman Craig Moore has been signed for another season, along with Mikael Lidhammar, Brett Switzer and Justin Faryna.
The club have launched an early-bird season ticket offer which ends on midnight on Saturday April 30.
The early prices are adult £363, concession £242, child £190 and family £850 From Sunday May 1 they are adult £389, concession £268, child £216 and family £884.
Former Dundee Stars defenceman Paul Swindlehurst yesterday joined Elite League newcomers Manchester Storm on loan from Nottingham Panthers until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old was in Great Britain’s squad which failed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Italy last weekend.
He will make his debut in tonight’s league game against Sheffield Steelers.
Meanwhile Kirkcaldy Kestrels forward Chad Smith and Solway Sharks defenceman Stuart Kerr have been added to the Great Britain under-18 squad for the World Championship in Brasov.
Head coach Martin Grubb said: “It is always tough to lose players from the original team and we are comfortable with bringing in both Stuart and Chad.
“They were very unlucky not to have made the original line-up.”