By Kris Smith
It is now the Stars turn to play host in this Scottish Rivalry double-header and after yesterday’s disappoint 4-3 road loss, it is predicted to be another tight and hard fought contest at the DIA.
Last night in the Braehead Arena, Dundee found themselves 2-0 down after the first period as Mitch Jones and Braylon Shmyr fired the home side ahead with some timely goals.
The Clan then found a third goal very quickly in the second session, but that was what kick-started the Stars to come back into the game.
Just 14 seconds after falling further behind, Sebastian Bengtsson got the Taysiders off the mark and a late goal from Gabriel Desjardins put them back to within just one, before the third period.
Desjardins then bagged his brace to put the Stars level and just as it seemed a winner would not be found without the use of overtime, a late penalty cost Dundee dearly.
A too-many men call inside the final two minutes put the Stars a man down and gave Nolan LaPorte the perfect opportunity to steal the two points for Glasgow in the final minute.
Captain, Drydn Dow and goaltender Adam Morrison were both missing from the line-up last night and will not play any part again tonight.
However, forward, Philippe Sanche will also miss tonight’s match through injury, but Alexandre Ranger makes his return to the line-up after being out for the last 12 games.
Reflecting after last night’s heart-breaking loss, Stars defenseman, Kris Inglis said: “Losing the way we did is really disappointing.
“We cannot afford to feel sorry for ourselves as there is a quick turnaround for tomorrow’s game, so we need to brush this off.
“It hurts at the minute but it will be fuel for the fire come tomorrow.
“You need a short memory in hockey and the boys realise how massive tomorrow is.
“Facing the Clan on home ice will be a different affair and we need to continue our solid home form.
“Two points tomorrow is non-negotiable for us.”
Kris continued: “We knew the Clan would come out fast in the first after their mid-week defeat and we did not match their intensity.
“Although we grew into the game, tomorrow we cannot afford to start slow.
“We will be on home ice and we need to set the tempo from the drop of the puck and we need to manage the clock a lot better tomorrow.
“Giving up a quick one in the second and a late on in the third should not happen, so tomorrow we will need to bare down and play hard for the full 60 minutes.”
Face-off for tonight’s home game is at 5pm.
