By Kris Smith
The Blaze make a return to the Dundee Ice Arena just two weeks after suffering a 7-3 defeat to the Stars.
However, much has changed since that game and both sides have struggled to pick up points.
Coventry haven’t won any of their last five games, while Dundee are without a victory in the last three. Both sides have won a game each against each other this season, so this match is set to be a crucial one for both teams.
Danny Stewart’s side had won 2-1 on their first trip to Tayside back in October but were hammered on their last visit.
Last night, saw the Stars go down 5-1 at home to their biggest rivals and the Blaze were beaten 6-3 at home by Nottingham Panthers.
The Taysiders were without Kris Inglis in defence as he remains side-lined with an upper body injury and Coventry were missing forward Janne Laakkonen and defenders, David Clements and Oliver Lord from their line-up on Saturday evening.
Craig Gans netted Dundee’s lone goal last night, while Luke Ferrara, Andrew Johnston and Evan Bloodoff were all the scoresheet for the West Midlands club.
In the pair of games between the Stars and the Blaze so far this season, the eight Dundee goals have been scored by Kevin Dufour (3), Jordan Cownie (2), Justin Maylan, Anthony Beauregard and Egils Kalns, whereas Coventry’s five goals have been scored by five different scorers.
Stars winger, Egils Kalns highlighted the importance of the match and the fact that the team can’t switch off at any moment if they want to win the two points.
He said: “The boys are feeling motivated ahead of the Coventry game because we know how important this game is.
“We have practiced hard all week to get ready for the game and want to get another important win.
“We know we have to be at our best and we can’t take any shift off.
“We must play as a five-man unit, work hard from the back and move forward to create some chances.
“After the last game against Coventry, we have the confidence to win this match.
“So, we are going to try hard but we have to play our best game defensively, score some goals like we did last time and if we try really hard then the result will go our way.”
Tonight’s home match against Coventry will begin at 5pm and you can buy tickets for tonight’s game HERE.
