By Kris Smith
The Stars welcomed the Flames to Tayside for an all-important battle that would potentially decide if Dundee would make the playoffs and the Elite League title would be won.
Both sides needed to win and the Stars surprised many by storming into a 3-0 lead in the first period, with Hugo Reinhardt opening the scoring on nine minutes, as Philippe Sanche set him up after stealing back possession deep in the Flames end.
Sanche then did the same again in the 14th minute but this time whilst shorthanded, he decided to go himself this time and would beat Taz Burman on the second attempt after his initial shot was saved.
Elijiah Barriga then made it 3-0 with a powerplay goal inside 19 minutes but the faltering Flames re-emerged with a newly lit desire and they began to claw their way back into the tie.
Mike Crocock pulled one back with a long-range effort through traffic on 25 minutes before Brett Ferguson cut the lead to one, just 51 seconds later.
Jordan Klimek then levelled the scoring with another shot from distance that Bryton Preece was unable to keep out, in the 36th minute.
Paul Dixon’s men then took the lead with a shorthanded goal of their own, inside 38 minutes, although the Stars hit right back on the same penalty as Cole Fraser’s powerplay goal made it 4-4 heading into the final period.
Each side had their share of powerplay time in the third session but it would be Guildford who capitalised on it as Ryan Tait restored their lead on 43 minutes and despite Dundee’s best efforts to equalise once again, Daniel Tedesco added a sixth goal for the Flames in the final minute to seal the victory.
A win for the Surrey side has kept them in the race for the Elite League title with three games remaining but the Stars hopes off qualifying for the playoffs have diminished.
Tonight, the two teams meet for the final time this season and so far, Jeff Mason’s side are yet to beat Guildford, who have been inside the top two spots for nearly the whole season.
Speaking after last night’s 6-4 defeat, Stars Head Coach, Mason said: “We played really well in the first, we started the game exceptionally well.
“We knew they were going to come with a push in the second and we were not able to weather the storm as well as we would have liked.
“Our defensive responsibility lapsed a bit and they were able to take advantage of it, they are a team with a lot of skill and speed.
“It is a 4-4 hockey game going into the third and it turned into a special teams battle and they came out on the right side of it.
“We knew it would be a tough battle tonight because they needed the win to keep their league title hopes alive and it is unfortunate that we were unable to get something from it.
“However, we will take the positives from it and make the long trip down there tomorrow morning and hopefully close out the weekend with a win.”
He added: “Our focus over the last five or six games is just to go out and play our best game and I believe we have played a lot of good hockey, so hopefully tomorrow we can get back in the win column.”
Face-off is at 6pm.
All images: John Uwins.
