GUILDFORD FLAMES 2 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 4

The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars picked up a vital road win in Guildford against the Flames on Sunday night as they produced a three-goal third period to seal a 4-2 victory.

By Kris Smith

Both teams were reeling from defeat in their previous matches and each side were quick to get on the attack but neither Jarrett Fiske in the Dundee goal or his counter-part, Eamon McAdam would give up anything early.

After each team had already had a powerplay early in the game, the Stars would eventually be the first to break the stalemate and in the 16th minute, Philippe Sanche would slip a low effort past McAdam after Brett Gravelle had won possession from the face-off.

Although, with Dundee back on the powerplay, another goal came in the final minute of the first session but despite being a man down, it was Guildford who found the back of the net as Daniel Catenacci punished a mistake from the Stars and picked the top corner from the left wing.

In the second session, both sides battled hard to get the next advantage but some solid goaltending at either end would keep the score locked at 1-1 after 40 minutes, with each club’s powerplay units continuing to faulter.

The third period then saw Marc LeFebvre’s side come out and make a quick move to regain the lead as Spencer Naas’s shot would be saved by McAdam before the rebound dropped to Brendan Harms on the doorstep and he restored the visitors lead, just 27 seconds after the restart.

Then just three minutes later, Zach Tsekos would give Dundee a two-goal cushion as he spotted Guildford’s Lewis Hook skating across his own goal and perfectly timed a poke check to send the puck into the Flames net.

At 3-1 down, Paul Dixon’s side needed a response and they got one in the 47th minute as Ethan Strang was left free in front of the Dundee goal to score on a rebound from Joshua Waller’s effort.

The home team piled on the pressure after that but Dundee continued to deny their English opposition and Harms would give them another two-goal lead inside 53 minutes as he deflected Craig Moore’s shot past McAdam.

Guildford threw everything forward in the final minutes but failed to cut into the deficit and the Stars would claim two vital points that keeps them six points ahead of Manchester Storm, who are trying to knock Dundee out of the final playoff spot.

The Stars now also sit just five points behind Guildford and Glasgow Clan with only five games remaining in the league campaign and next weekend, their only outing is a home contest against Coventry Blaze on Saturday evening.