By Kris Smith
The Stars and the Clan currently both sit on 35 points with Dundee having played 39 games to Glasgow’s 36, but both sides picked up key victories last night as Glasgow claimed a 4-2 home win over Guildford Flames and Dundee were 4-3 victors on the road against Manchester Storm.
Those results mean that Guildford have been reeled into sight of both clubs as they now sit only six points behind the Flames and Manchester have now been dropped to a 10-point gap below the Scottish duo.
Glasgow were powered to victory by goals from Matt Berry, Cole Ully, Steven Seigo and Tyson McLellan, as the Flames had pulled it back to 1-1 before the Braehead Club moved into a 3-1 lead and would extend their winning streak to four games,
However, the Stars are also looking to go four matches unbeaten as they have not lost to Corey Neilson’s side in their last three clashes and last night, they were 2-0 down after nine minutes in Manchester, before Keanu Yamamoto’s strike in the final minute of the second period got them off the mark after 32 attempts on goal.
Captain, Drydn Dow would then draw Dundee level in his 300 Elite League match and as soon as the Stars were level, they would go onto the powerplay but quickly fell behind again after conceding a shorthanded goal.
However, Domenic Alberga would make it a 3-3 game with 10 minutes left on the clock before Philippe Sanche bagged what proved to be the winner just a minute later.
The Stars have also been victorious against the Clan in their two most recent meetings, which were both also in Dundee, and need to repeat their 8-5 and 6-2 victories if they hope to get ahead of their rivals.
Speaking after last night’s win in Manchester, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “I thought we were okay in the first period, despite being down 2-0.
“I think it was just two shots from the top of the blue, with some screens on our goalie that went in and then we found a way into the back of their net at the end of the second period, which got us going.
“I thought we were dominant in the second period but we just could not capitalise on our chances and fair play to their goalie, who made some key saves stop for them.
“In the third period, we get that goal to make it 2-2 and you never want to give up a shorthanded goal but it hit the stanchion and this rink, you get funny bounces all over the place.
“However, we regrouped quickly and made it 3-3, then obviously got the game winner to make it 4-3 and we just shut the door at the end.
“It was a good game tonight, both teams pushed hard and it sets up a big one against Glasgow tomorrow.”
Then discussing tonight’s crucial home clash with the Clan, he continued: “It is another rivalry game, a big derby for us and we have learned to hate each other a bit, if you look back at the last couple of games with the physicality that ensued.
“They also want to keep climbing up the standings themselves and it is one of those weekend’s where we can really put ourselves in a great position with two big performances but that starts against Manchester and then we will worry about Glasgow tomorrow morning.
“Although, Saturday’s game in an important one as well in terms of where we want to get to at the end of the season.”
Face-off for tonight’s home match against Glasgow Clan is at 7pm.
