By Kris Smith
Bruising defender, Cole Fraser was given a place in the starting six and right from the off, he started laying his heavyweight frame into the Storm.
Then, just three minutes into the game, he would draw a penalty to put the Stars on an early powerplay as Manchester’s Jake Bricknell was punished for tripping.
Dundee worked the puck around well but were struggling to maintain possession in the Manchester end.
However, after Ben Sokay made a quick dash forward, the puck quickly found its way to Carter Folk, who tried a lofted shot across goal and it would fall into the Storm net after deflecting off one of the defensemen.
It took just over four minutes for Jeff Mason’s men to take the lead and they would do well to defend it, as they did not back down from a physical and gritty battle.
Returning to Dundee for a third spell, fellow blueliner, Craig Moore also marked his return with some big hits and crucial plays in the opening minutes, helping his teammates fend off a long Storm powerplay after Fraser recieved a four-minute, double-minor penalty for high-sticks.
The Altrincham side did not make it easy for the Stars and forced them to play tight in front of goal, blocking shots and battling for positioning but the Tayside team survived with their narrow lead intact.
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All images: Derek Black.
