TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 1 TILBURG TRAPPERS 2
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat in their final preseason friendly as they took on Tilburg Trappers from Holland, giving them a total of two wins from four exhibition games.
By Kris Smith
The Stars iced another full line-up for their second exhibition match of the weekend, with the only change being made in net as Lucas Brine was given his first start in a Stars jersey and Tilburg would also rotate their goalkeepers with Ruud Leeuwesteijn taking the spot between the pipes.
It was a very even start to the game as both sides were battling hard for every puck but the deadlock would soon be broken by Johnny Walker on six minutes, as he had space in front of the Trappers net and picked out the bottom right corner.
The Dutch side had done well to deny Dundee as they created a number of dangerous chances in the opening minutes, with Tommy Parrottino being denied by the goal post and Walker having an early breakaway stopped by Leeuwesteijn.
However, the Trappers did not shy away from the contest after falling behind and they pushed for an equaliser which finally came in the final minute of the opening period, as D’Artagnan Joly placed his shot over the right shoulder of Brine.
In the second session, things were just as even as both defences were tightened up and it would not be until the 32nd minute before one side took the lead as Tilburg benefitted from some luck as Mikko Virtanen’s shot bounced off a number of bodies before finding its way into the Stars net.
The home side fought hard to get themselves back on level terms before the break but they were unable to break down the Trappers again for the rest of the night, as Doug Mason’s men cleared their lines time and time again, as the Stars kept surging forward.
Marc LeFebvre’s men now have just five days to prepare for their competitive debut and they make the trip across the Irish Sea on Friday evening to face last season’s treble-winning, Belfast Giants.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #56 Johnny Walker
Tilburg: #51 Mikko Virtanen
Goals
1st:
1-0 Johnny Walker (James Phelan, Drydn Dow) 06:20
1-1 D’Artagnan Joly (Unassisted) 19:11
2nd:
1-2 Mikko Virtanen (Unassisted) 32:01
3rd:
All images: Derek Black.
