By Kris Smith
The Stars have played the most games in the league so far with 27 matches under their belt but have only 20 points to show for it, as they sit in the eighth and last playoff spot.
They must win points every weekend now if they are to hold onto their playoff berth and if they want to move up the table but Dundee have not won any of their last 16 meetings with Cardiff as Marc LeFebvre continues his search for his first victory over the Welsh club since he returned to Tayside in the summer of 2023.
The last time the Stars met the Devils was just a few weeks ago back in December as Pete Russell’s side came out 5-2 victors after winning the first period 4-2.
The two teams had gone back and forth as Zach Tsekos gave the Taysiders the lead before Josh MacDonald levelled for Cardiff but Kohen Olischefski then swiftly put the Devils in front.
Philippe Sanche would equalise for Dundee but Brett Perlini and MacDonald bagged two more goals for the visitors to put them a pair of goals ahead after 20 minutes.
Then in the third period, Riley Brandt scored into an empty net to complete the Devils victory and keep them unbeaten against the Stars this season with three wins from three, following a 6-4 defeat of the Stars on Tayside in November and a 6-1 home win back in October.
The Stars are coming into the New Year off the back of two defeats to Belfast Giants as they went down 5-2 in Northern Ireland on Monday before forcing Adam Keefe’s men to overtime on Hogmanay but Dundee were left with only a point as the Giants netted the winner just 24 seconds into extra time.
Meanwhile, the Devils spilt their pair of games against Guildford Flames as they closed out 2024 with a 5-1 home win before being beaten 5-3 in Surrey by Paul Dixon’s team.
Reflecting on Tuesday’s overtime loss against Belfast, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We battled hard and Fiske gave us a chance to win, you need a goaltender who will give you that chance every night and he provided that against Belfast.
“We just could not get that fourth one to hang on in the end for the win and they get a tip on that third goal and then they find a way in overtime but our guys battled hard and left everything on the ice, especially after the first period as were on our heels a bit.
“We just could not find a way to close it out but that is a big point in the grand scheme of things.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s match, he continued: “We need to get some rest, it is always a busy time of year but we will have a light skate before heading down to Cardiff.
“We will get ourselves prepped and go out there to win that game.”
Face-off for tonight’s game in Cardiff is at 7pm.
All images: James Assinder
