By Kris Smith
The Stars were beaten 4-2 in a very closely contested game in Wales last night and they fought back to tie the game twice but could have easily taken the lead at different stages of the match.
British goaltenders, Lucas Brine and Cardiff’s Ben Bowns both got the start in nets last and put on impressive displays to keep the score tight, with Brine making 29 stops and Bowns 26.
Sam Duggan opened the scoring in the 18th minute as he slotted home a rebound off of Brine’s pads but early in the second period, Ryan Valentini slung home Brendan Harms’ pass to bring Dundee level.
It took the Stars only 54 seconds to find an equaliser after the restart but just 33 seconds later, Tyler Busch followed up on his own blocked pass and finished past the 21-year-old goalie to restore the home team’s lead.
Jake Elmer would then deke the puck around Bowns to make it 2-2 on 26 minutes but Pete Russell’s men would finally cash in on one of their four powerplays to regain the lead inside 33 minutes, with Bode Wilde’s slapshot from the blueline flying straight into the back of the net.
A hard and physical battle continued into the third period with both sides searching for the crucial next goal and a fortunate bounce off a skate would see the Devils move 4-2 ahead, after Busch’s shot was deflected past Brine via the skate of Xavier Pouliot.
The Stars were without netminder, Kevin Carr and forward, Craig Garrigan last night and are expected to be unchanged this evening, whilst the Devils welcomed back Cole Ully and Busch to their line-up but saw River Rymsha and Chad Pietroniro drop out to join Joshua Waller on the sidelines.
Speaking after last night’s 1st leg in Cardiff, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We are within striking range for tomorrow at our home rink, so it was a tough, physical battle and good playoff hockey.
“I would like to see less powerplays for both teams and just let the players handle it but that is how it goes sometimes.
“We are still within a shout tomorrow, we know they are a very good team so we will just get ready for it.”
Stars Captain, Drydn Dow also shared his excitement to play in front of another packed-out DIA tonight, adding: “It is great playing in front of our fans and obviously we had a great turnout against Fife last week, so if they can be loud and proud like that again tonight, then that would be amazing for this final home game.”
Face-off for tonight’s playoff home game is at 5pm and you can purchase your tickets HERE or buy the webcast HERE!
All images: James Assinder.
