By Kris Smith
The Stars welcome the Clan to the DIA for the second time this season and it will be their first visit in league play, but the two club’s fourth meeting of the campaign.
Dundee were 4-2 winners in Glasgow just before Christmas as they came back from 2-1 down to steal both points in Braehead on December 23.
Brendan Harm’s powerplay goal had the Stars in front on 30 minutes but just five minutes later, the Clan would lead 2-1 thanks to two swift strikes from Robert Lachowicz and Cody Sol.
In the third period, Ryan Valentini pounced straight away to tie the game at 2-2, just 16 seconds in and Brent Beaudoin would then put Dundee back in front, four minutes later.
Spencer Naas’ empty-net goal three seconds from full-time wrapped up the two points and made it back-to-back wins over Jason Morgan’s side after they fell to a 6-2 defeat in Dundee on their last visit to Tayside.
In their last match, the Stars ended 2023 on a high as they battled back from 2-0 behind in the third period to defeat Belfast Giants in a penalty shootout.
After losing a goal in each of the first two periods, Nass then bagged a brace in the final 20 minutes to lift the roof of the DIA with the 2300-strong crowd in elation as he tied the score inside the final minute.
Dundee then forced the game to a shootout where they would score all three of their shots with Carter Johnson, Naas and Valentini doing the business, whilst keeper, Kevin Carr blanked the Giants.
Currently, the Stars and the Clan are tied on 25 points after 24 games, with Dundee sitting in sixth and Glasgow in seventh but the winner will move into fifth and the Clan were beaten in their final game of 2023, as they lost 7-4 to Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy.
Looking ahead to tonight’s derby, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We are approaching it like any other game but these are three massive games for us this week and it starts with this one against Glasgow.
“We cannot look ahead to Coventry and Guildford just yet because we have a big challenge against Glasgow at home tonight and they are a big rival for us, we are both tied in the standings after the same amount of games, so we know it is going to be a competitive game.
Despite the Stars winning the last two encounters, LeFebvre insists that will not matter and he explained: “It starts 0-0 no matter what.
“It does not matter what the results were before and it is a fresh start for everybody, we both need points to keep us in the positions that we are and we know that.
“So, it will be a playoff like atmosphere, the building will be packed and it will be an exciting game.”
The Canadian coach also discussed what it took to win against Glasgow in the past, adding: “We just grinded it out for 60 minutes and that is all it came down to, it was not any one thing, we just played a complete hockey game on both nights.
“Last time we played them, we went down 2-1 going to the third and that seems to be our mark throughout this whole season, we are down but we are never out and we just keep clawing away, especially in the third period.
“I think that just goes down to our level of conditioning too, we are a well-conditioned team and able to get through these games for 60 minutes now.”
Canadian defenseman, Elijah Vilio made his debut against Belfast last weekend and reflecting on his first week in Dundee, he said: “It felt pretty good, the city is awesome, the fans are great, I am liking it a lot here and I am looking forward to the future here with this team.
“Last Sunday was amazing, the atmosphere was fantastic and just awesome.
“I loved every second of it and it was an amazing win and great comeback, so quite the way to end off the year.”
With his first Scottish derby next, Vilio said: “I have heard they are one of our big rivals, so we definitely have to be dialled in and anytime we play someone like them, we have to make sure we take it to them.”
Face-off for tonight’s home game is at 7:30pm and you can buy your tickets HERE!
All images: Derek Black.
