By Kris Smith
The Stars are set to have five players out of their line-up as the injured; Philippe Sanche, Kris Inglis, Alexandre Ranger and Spencer Dorowicz were absent from yesterday’s 6-4 loss to Cardiff Devils – with Kyle Haas suspended also.
Dundee are on the road against Guildford for the second time thus year and in their two past meetings this season, both home teams have won one game each and kept a clean sheet.
The first match was in Surrey and ended 3-0 to the Flames, with Jake Bolton, Chris Gerrie and Levi Cable providing their goals.
Then when Paul Dixon brought his side to Dundee, the Stars powered to a 7-0 win and that was also their latest victory, three weeks ago.
On the night, Connor Sills, Gabriel Desjardins, Kyle Haas, Charlie Combs, Dillon Lawrence x2 and Spencer Dorowicz all found the net against the second-placed team in the league.
Speaking after last night’s home defeat to Cardiff Devils, Stars Head Coach, Omar Pacha said: “We came out without an okay start, we obviously took the lead.
“I thought it was an even first period, I know they outshot us, but it is Cardiff Devils – they are a really good hockey team and you can see that with all of the elite players they have on that team.
“In the second period, we had that five or six minute spell where we did just not play well at all.
“We could not get pucks away and if you look at the goals, it is easy enough to pinpoint the mistakes.
“Unfortunately, with a team like that, if you are giving them Grade-A chances, they are going to capitalise.
“Then in the third, there were a few mistakes that cost us and I liked the pushback but it was not enough.
“So, I cannot criticise the overall work ethic, but I just think we made some key mental mistakes at very critical times.”
Discussing tonight’s clash with the Flames, Pacha added: “Right now we are facing a bit of a down time.
“We have many guys out and the team is not doing as well as we all would have hoped – so we have to try and build as much positivity as possible.
“It is hard when you are in a position like this, but our true character has to come out now.
“We have to stop this losing streak, it is as simple as that.
“We have to play a full 60 minutes and right now, we do not have the luxury of using guys that are out injured or suspended, so we have to dig deep.”
Then new signing, Cody Drover expressed his delight to start his professional and Dundee Stars career with two goals and an assist.
He said: “It was a great feeling, obviously we did not get the result we wanted but to come in and provide some offence for the team is what I am here to do.
“But, I feel I need to tighten up defensively moving forward, so that we can try to get those two points on the board.”
With his first away trip being one of the longest-travels in the league, Drover added: “I should be used to the long-travel and the jetlag after only arriving yesterday, but Guildford is a long bus trip, so it is going to take some adjusting.
“You have to get the legs going early and keep them going, but also eat right, drink right and sleep right.”
Finally, the 26-year-old also shared how he plans to keep his scoring streak going.
He said: “I am pretty superstitious guy.
“So, I am going to be doing the exact same thing I did out there last night, on the ice tomorrow and I would just like to tighten up defensively.”
Face-off for tonight’s match in surrey is at 6pm.
