By Kris Smith
Stars play their first game of the weekend tonight against the Edinburgh Capitals after Friday night’s trip to Nottingham was postponed.
This is the final game between the two sides as Edinburgh have failed to qualify for the postseason for a fifth straight year.
The Caps have been hit with more injury trouble as their starting netminder, Tyler Beskorowany was ruled out of last weekend’s action, but it is not known if he will be fit to face the Stars. The Murrayfield side completed their last match with only 14 skaters.
Edinburgh’s new goalie was drafted in during the Christmas period as a replacement for the departing Pavel Shegalo. However, Beskorowany did not play last night as the Caps fell 7-2 to Coventry, Jordan McLaughlin was between the pipes.
Patrik Moisio scored both of the Edinburgh goals, as he faced his former team and collected the ‘Man of the Match’ award. Since Stars first game of the weekend was postponed and Braehead defeated Sheffield Steelers 5-2 in Glasgow, the Clan have restored their five points lead over Dundee. Although Stars still hold their three games in hand advantage but every game is a must win according to Stars coach Pacha.
He said: “Sunday will be just as important on the road in Edinburgh, right now we can’t drop points to a team like that and really we can’t drop points against anybody essentially.
“Every game is going to be as important as the next one, we are going to look forward to that on Sunday and playing a good, smart game, but we can’t take them too lightly as they are a team who have to play with their pride.
“Mostly likely they will get a few guys back from injury, so it will be an interesting matchup.”
Forward Ben Edmonds says he and his teammates are “determined” to reach their goal of making the playoffs but believes Edinburgh will still put up a fight. He said: “Last week was huge for us, it was what we needed, it has made the boys buzzing for this week and determined to try and grab more points in the hunt for that spot in the playoffs.
“We have had some battles with Edinburgh this year and we don’t expect anything different this time around, we know how to play and how not to play against these guys, so if we stick to our game plan we have a great chance of getting a huge road win.
“Hockey isn’t the most predictable game, lots of bounces haven’t been going out way and some games we haven’t been executing the best.
“However, we know how important the last stretch is here and will be giving it our all for the two points.”
The young Scot has been relishing in the experience of his first full season with his hometown team and believes games like these against Edinburgh provide “great opportunities” for players to show their ability.
He added: “I think every game is a huge game for younger players like myself, but these games in conference are great opportunities for players to show what they can do.
Sunday’s game will start at 6pm.
