By Kris Smith
It is another Challenge Cup clash for the Stars and last weekend they won two out of three cup ties in a triple header weekend.
Whilst a 2-0 defeat in Belfast to the Giants was not the ideal start for Dundee, Omar Pacha’s men responded with a 6-1 thrashing of the Flyers in Kirkcaldy.
Then last Sunday, the Taysiders responded to a second period comeback by the Giants and went on to beat them 4-2.
With 10 goals scored in the past two games, the five players who netted their firsts of the season were: Sebastian Bengtsson, Timi Lahtinen (2), Dillon Lawrence (2), Spencer Dorowicz and Charlie Combs (2).
Meanwhile, a Philippe Sanche brace took him to three in five games and the Canadian forward also collected two assists, along with Combs to take them both to four points over the weekend.
Another player who put in a Star performance for Dundee was goaltender, Adam Morrison, who made 113 saves across the three matches.
Over in Fife, Todd Dutiaume’s side are still searching for their first competitive win of the season and will be determined to snap a four-losing streak in this weekend’s Tayside Derby.
Greg Chase is the team’s leading scorer with two goals this season and in their most recent match, a 5-1 defeat to Cardiff Devils, last Sunday, the Flyers were only missing forward Richard Krogh from their line-up.
Whereas Dundee are set to be without the injured Toms Rutkis and Craig Moore.
Reflecting on his side’s positive end to last week, Stars Head Coach, Omar Pacha said: “It was really important to get that first win and the boys certainly worked hard to end the weekend with four points.
“During the last 20 minutes on Sunday, the tanks were empty, and we defended hard.
“Now, we need to build on that weekend and keep going on what we are doing and keep improving day by day, so good things will happen.
“It is a huge game on Saturday night, at home against our biggest rivals, and it is a massive chance to get some more Challenge Cup points to help us progress to the knockout stages.”
With 18 goals conceded and only three scored, the Flyers will be working hard to turn things around and that is a thought, Stars Boss Omar Pacha is wary of.
He added: “If you do not show up, you will get embarrassed and the guys know that this game is vital for us, so you cannot let up on anybody.
“In this league I have seen results where other teams got beat then by the next weekend, they were a brand new team and I expect Fife to come in here and want to do the same as what we did to them last weekend.
“So, it is going to be a huge game, I do not think anybody should take anyone for granted, we will need to be at our best to win that hockey game, if not we will be disappointed.”
Dundee defender, Kris Inglis believes the team has made “massive steps” of progress in the past week.
He said: “Last weekend was a massive step forward for the boys.
“We got better as the weekend went on even though we were getting more fatigued, which has gave us confidence in our game and shown us by working hard and making the simple plays, we can be successful against anyone in this league.
“The boys are working hard so keep carry last weeks momentum into Saturday.”
The Dundonian blueliner is more than familiar with the Flyers and these derbies and knows how important another good performance will be for the team.
Kris added: “Saturday will be another huge derby match against the Flyers.
“We came into their building and took the game to them right from the drop of the puck,which gave us control early on.
“I am sure they wil try to do the same this Saturday in DIA and we cannot let that happen.
“There is a massive buzz around this Stars team this year and the boys truly feel it all.
“We need the Stars fans to continue being the extra man out there and we are confident we can come away with a good result.”
“We will be ready for whatever they throw at us.”
Face-off for tomorrow night’s game at the Dundee Ice Arena is at 7pm. Buy your tickets NOW!
The Stars were also meant to be travelling south to take on Manchester Storm in a league fixture on Sunday.
However, the game has been postponed until October 21, due to limited road access to Altrincham Ice Rink.
