GLASGOW CLAN 3 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 2 OT

The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars gained a valuable point on the road in Glasgow last night as they went down 3-2 after overtime to keep themselves hanging on to the final playoff spot in Elite League.

By Kris Smith

The Stars needed to get off to a good start and found themselves up against a solid Glasgow team who were broke up their early attacks well, but whenever the visitors did get in behind, Clan goalie Landow Bow was on top form from the start to deny any pucks that came his way in the opening 20 minutes.

Both teams would have a powerplay chance in the first period but could not capitalise on their temporary man advantages, as Glasgow’s Joe Hazeldine was called for a cross-checking foul on Philippe Sanche before Dundee’s Alex Robert would then be boxed for roughing.

Robert also had two good chances to get his team on the scoreboard but failed to get his shot past Bow and the Clan would then strike in the 17th minute to take the lead as Cade Neilson redirected former Stars blueliner, Chris McKay’s pass under netminder, Jarrett Fiske.

The Taysiders made a late push for an equaliser and were finding ways into the home team’s end but Bow continued to stonewall them and they headed to the second period still one goal behind.

However after the restart, it took only three minutes for the Stars to breakthrough as Dundee captain, Drydn Dow put a shot on target that hit forward, Xavier Pouliot in front of goal and bounced into the back of net.

Then just three minutes later, Spencer Naas would fire Marc LeFebvre’s side in front to give them a 2-1 lead and complete a swift turn around inside only six minutes of second period action.

Dundee were then on top for the next five minutes and came close to doubling their advantage but in the 32nd minute, the penalties started to come as tensions boiled over between the two Scottish rivals.

After Chris Martenet’s elbow caught Dundee’s Craig Moore, the Stars would be heading onto the powerplay and as they played on until the whistle from the referee, goaltender Bow pushed his net off and that earned him a delay of game penalty which made it a five-on-three powerplay for the Stars.

The home team would kill off the pair of penalties but were unable to get a second puck past Fiske in the Dundee goal, which meant the Stars remained 2-1 in front heading to the third period.

A win would be crucial for Dundee’s playoff push as Manchester Storm had claimed a 3-1 home victory over Guildford Flames to keep the pressure on but the Clan had no intentions of giving them an easy two points.

Just three minutes into the third stanza, Liam Finlay lifted the puck into the top corner of the Stars net from close range to make it an even game at 2-2 and for the rest of regulation time, both teams battled hard for the go-ahead-goal but failed to take their chances.

The clock eventually ran out, which meant overtime would be required to find a winner and in the extra period, Dundee created a number of dangerous chances whilst playing at three-on-three but could not net the winner.

At the other end, the Clan circled the Stars net and McKay would hit the puck on target but the attempt was blocked by bodies in front and unfortunately for Dundee the puck dropped at the feet of Glasgow’s Rylan Schwartz, who would turn in the winning goal.

Glasgow took the extra point with their 3-2 overtime victory but the lone point gained by the Stars is enough to keep them ahead of Manchester in the race for the final playoff spot and both clubs entire season now hinges on their final league games.

The Storm travel to Kirkcaldy on Saturday and must beat Fife Flyers to have any chance of qualifying before the Stars then take on Fife in Dundee in what could potentially be a decisive Tayside Derby.