By Kris Smith
The Stars are aiming to bounce back from an up and down weekend as they split two away losses with a win in Glasgow.
After falling 7-1 to Cardiff Devils on Friday night, with Philippe Sanche netting their only goal, Dundee responded to beat Glasgow Clan 2-1 after extra time on Saturday.
Sebastian Bengtsson and Charlie Combs had both struck the net at the right time to give the Stars a much needed two points, but on Sunday they came up just short against their local rivals.
Despite a brace from Sanche and one goal from Spencer Dorowicz, Dundee were beaten 4-3 in Kirkcaldy by Fife Flyers and that has left them in sixth place, five points away from securing a playoff spot.
This is also the last regular season meeting between Dundee and Nottingham and they are currently only four points behind the fourth-place Panthers.
So far this season, the home team has won all five ties between the two teams and on Nottingham’s last visit to Dundee, the Stars were 5-4 winners in overtime.
Sanche (2), Bengtsson, Dorowicz and the now departed, Markus Kankaanperä provided the goals for Dundee, while Robbie Baillargeon, Matthew Myers and Aaron Thow found the net for the Panthers.
Although, the Stars are set to still be without goaltender, Adam Morrison and forwards, Craig Garrigan and Toms Rutkis as all three miss out through injury again.
Discussing how they bounce back in tonight’s crucial home tie, Stars defensemen, Kris Inglis said: “Sunday’s game by our standards was not where it needed to be.
“Although I felt we had a nice control of the game we were not anywhere near as clinical as we needed to be and we made uncharacteristic mistakes which may be expected at the end of a three-in-three.
“We have had a couple days off here and it will be a great opportunity to get back to winning ways especially on home ice.”
He continued: “Like I said being back on home ice will be great for the boys after a substantial run of away games.
“Two points tomorrow will allow us to keep climbing up that table and if we get them, I am confident we can get the other four this weekend.”
Inglis then explained what challenges they expect to face against an injury-plagued Panthers side.”
He added: “We know Nottingham had a tough result at the weekend and are missing a few key players but we know that they will be playing with even more intensity than ever.
“When we have been down players it has brought out the best efforts in us and I’m sure am Nottingham will be the same.
“They are a good team but if we use our home advantage and dictate our style of play we can come away with a good result.”
During tonight’s first intermission we will have an extra special figure skating exhibition from Anastasia Vaipan Law and Luke Digby, British senior pair skating champions who have represented GBR at the 2022 European championships.
Face-off for tonight’s home match is at 7:30pm, buy your tickets HERE!
