By Kris Smith
The Stars head to Kirkcaldy with winning on their minds again as they continue to plot their escape from the foot of the Elite League table.
After snapping a nine-game losing run, Dundee are now just four points off of the ninth placed, Manchester Storm and seven behind the Flyers who occupy the last playoff spot.
With a two for two record in Fife this season, the Stars are hopeful of finding further success on the road against their arch enemies.
On Thursday night, the Stars claimed their first win of December and their two latest recruits shined in their Tayside derby debuts.
Alex Schoenborn netted his first goal for the club after 10 minutes as he deflected a shot past Fife keeper, Adam Morrison but the Flyers tied the game five minutes later as Carlo Finucci banked a shot off Paul Crowder to put the puck in the net.
In the final minute of the second period, Dundee retook their lead as their other new addition, Matt Carter scored his first goal by flicking a shot that was partially saved before going in off the skate of Crowder.
Todd Dutiaume’s men tied the game again in the 43rd minute as Mike Cazzola redirected a shot through the five-hole of Dundee goalie, Alex Leclerc but the home side fought off a long period of pressure before Schoenborn netted his second as he finished off a good move by Egils Kalns on 47 minutes.
Brett Stovin made it 4-2 with another deflected effort in the 53rd minute before Anthony Beauregard’s last-minute empty net goal sealed the win for Omar Pacha’s men.
The Stars Head Coach was happy and relieved to finally end the bad run of form and looking back on the match, Pacha said: “I think the whole club needed that!
“Sometimes it is hard to be down like we were in the last few weeks but I really liked our effort tonight, at times we were really, really dominant but we didn’t make any critical mistakes which is the one thing I would be critical of towards the team.
“We had solid goaltending, we got some clutch scoring and when they made it 2-2, I thought they had a bit of momentum and there was a big swing but the Cownie line (Jordan Cownie, Kalns, Schoenborn) was great again tonight, with Alex getting two goals.
“Once we got it 3-2 the fourth goal was huge and after that I think the guys committed well defensively.
“Leclerc had to made some big saves again but it was one of these wins that we really needed, no matter how we got it and I am really glad for the guys that we got it.
“Overall it is good to be winning a game.
“That was a big four-point swing so hopefully on Saturday we can give the same effort and get the same result.”
Stars froward, Colton Kroeker is confident that the team can continue their positive performance into Saturday’s next derby duel.
He said: “I thought we played a good game coming off the little Christmas break, we came out with a lot of energy and we want to continue that on Saturday.
“I think we match up well against Fife, we try to play hard against them, as we do with everyone but against Fife we feel like we can beat them every time.
“On Thursday we had some break downs but they are going to happen but for the most part defensively we played pretty good and put the puck in the net.”
Tonight’s match in Kirkcaldy will face-off at 7:15pm.
Buy your tickets NOW for our next home game on Thursday versus Belfast Giants!
