By Kris Smith
The Stars took a point from yesterday’s home game against Coventry Blaze as they lost 4-3 after a shootout but are aiming to take their first win over Sheffield this season, as Marc LeFebvre’s side return to Yorkshire for the second time in this campaign.
Last night, Dundee were missing four imports as Alex Tonge, Brogan O’Brien, Jake Elmer and Kameron Kielly all remained sidelined through injury but the point gained against the Blaze leaves the Stars still in sixth place with 11 points from 13 games.
Brett Gravelle would fire Dundee ahead on four minutes as he buried Keanu Yamamoto’s pass from behind the goal, straight past goalie Mat Robson and just 39 seconds after the restart, Brendan Harms tipped home a second goal.
The Canadian was skating towards the net when he deflected Kyle Pouncy’s effort on goal, up and over the shoulder of Robson, however 10 seconds later the Blaze would pull it back to 2-1 as Nick Seitz crashed towards the Dundee goal and tucked home a loose rebound.
The Stars held their narrow lead going into the second period and would score the only goal of the middle frame as Philippe Sanche backhanded the puck towards goal after being fouled by Coventry’s Mike Kennedy but the shot would take a bounce off a defender’s skate in front and deflect the puck under Robson inside 36 minutes.
In the third period, Kevin Moore’s men made a big push for a comeback and Seitz would lift home his second goal of the night in the 46th minute before Terrance Amorosa tied the game up with just under five minutes left on the clock.
There would be no winner found in the final minute and nor would overtime produce a winner, so a shootout was required and Dundee would go first but after Robson sent Zach Tsekos’ shot skyward it dropped back down behind him and the Blaze goalie quickly swept it away from the goal line.
After a video review, it was confirmed Tsekos’ effort did not go in and Coventry’s first shooter, Alessio Luciani would also be denied before Yamamoto and Seitz would both convert in the second round.
In the third round of shots, both Gravelle and Michael Regush would fail to score before Sanche and Chase Gresock each found the back of the net to pile the pressure on the final round of shooters.
Domenic Alberga would be up first but Robson denied his effort to set Kim Tallberg up to take the potential game winning shot and the Blaze forward skated in at speed on Richard Sabol, then buried his shot into the back of the net to complete Coventry’s comeback.
Meanwhile, the Steelers were 8-3 winners in Manchester against the Storm last night with Sheffield leading 2-1 after the first period and then 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Daniel Leavens, Maxim Golod (2), Kevin Tansey (3), Daniel Ciampini and Nathan Ripley all had their names on the scoresheet whilst Marco De Filippo made 40 saves for his first win in league play.
On the Stars last visit to Sheffield, they were not as fortunate and lost 6-1, even after taking a 1-0 lead inside seven minutes through captain, Drydn Dow.
The Steelers would then score three times in 89 seconds to claim control of the game in the second period, as Mitchell Balmas, Patrick Watling and Mikko Juusola were all on target.
In the third session, Juusola again lit the lamp and so did Balmas before Robert Dowd rounded off the scoring with a sixth goal for Aaron Fox’s men.
Speaking after last night’s shootout loss to Coventry, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We just have to try and take the effort from the first 40 minutes into Sheffield, that is a good team and we know that and what to expect.
“We just have to play smart, manage the puck and do not chase them around all night because we will just tire ourselves out.
“We just have to keep playing and try to make do, we know it will be a tough battle but it starts 0-0 and they played last night too in a tough building in Manchester and we are looking forward to the Challenge as always
Face-off for tonight’s road game in Sheffield is at 4pm.
All images: Dean Wooley.
