By Kris Smith
It is only eleven games into the elite League season and this evening will be the third time the Stars and Steelers have faced each other this season.
Dundee travel to Yorkshire on a high, after claiming a shootout win following a thrilling match against the Manchester Storm that ended 4-4 after regulation time. The Stars suffered setbacks in their double home header, as their injury concerns grew.
Jimmy Jensen has been added to the Tayside team’s injury list, bringing the total to five players of their twenty-one man squad. No players are expected to make a return from injury for the mid-week match-up at Ice Sheffield.
Sheffield have claimed two victories against Dundee this season so far, Paul Thompson’s men have yet to face a full-strength Stars side. They hammered their opposition 8-2 on home ice and easily took the points once more in Dundee by 5 goals to 2.
Malcolm Gould, Jimmy Jensen, Brian Hart and Joey De Concilys have all found the net against the English side but at the back, Travis Fullerton has been hounded by 82 shots from the Steelers with 13 getting past him. The Stars have taken just 37 shots with only 4 having the clinical finish.
Omar Pacha believes his side’s injury problems creates an “opportunity for guys to step up.” The Stars head coach said: “It is always a tough matchup against Sheffield, everyone knows we are facing many injuries but we still have to go in to Sheffield with the right mindset.
“It will be a big challenge but this will be a great opportunity for guys to step up.”
The Stars have already shown that they have a range of players who can find the net from all over the ice and their latest signing brought in by coach Pacha ‘to bolster their offensive output’ bagged his first goal at the weekend.
Dundee’s newest recruit, Justin Fox gave his reflection on the weekend: “The boys are feeling confident with points in 4 of our last 5 games, although we are disappointed we let a few points get away from us I feel as though we are heading in the right direction and the feeling in the room is positive.”
Justin also added: “My time in Dundee has been great so far, the guys have been amazing in welcoming me and making me feel as comfortable as possible. I’m still adjusting to the new city but have enjoyed the city and all it has to offer so far.”
Dundee face Sheffield for the fourth and final league meeting between the sides at the end of this month but Omar Pacha will be focusing on closer upcoming fixtures. They face local rivals Fife Flyers across in Kirkcaldy on Saturday night before returning home the next day to face the Belfast Giants again for the last time this season at the DIA.
Wednesday’s game at Ice Sheffield faces-off at 7:30pm, with tickets still available.
