By Kris Smith
The Stars are aiming to bounce back from Saturday night’s 5-2 home loss to Belfast Giants and pick up another win at the Motorpoint Arena but will have to do so with five import players out of their line-up as defender, Kyle Pouncy has joined forwards: Jake Elmer, Alex Tonge, Kameron Kielly and Brogan O’Brien on the sidelines.
However, their was a debut for new signing Alex Robert yesterday as he arrived in Dundee only on Friday but made the quick turnaround to feature in this weekend’s matches
Last night, Dundee would be 1-0 behind after the first period as the Giants took the lead in the third minute as Jeff Baum fired home the opener, straight after Scott Conway won possession from the face-off.
The Tayside team responded early in the second period and cashed in on a powerplay when Cole MacDonald fired past Jackson Whistle on 22 minutes.
However, Belfast would get back in front just six minutes later when J.J. Piccinich turned home a rebound at the back post of Jarrett Fiske’s goal.
Although, Dundee would again find a leveller in the 31st minute as Brendan Harms tucked home a loose rebound after Whistle had made a number of saves in the final seconds of an expiring powerplay for the home team.
Just as both teams looked set to head into the final period even at 2-2, the battle swung back into the Northern Irish club’s favour as two penalties were called against Dundee at the same time with both of the Stars goal scorers sent to the box, as Harms was punished for slashing and MacDonald for kneeing.
Just 20 seconds into their five-on-three man advantage, the Giants would regain the lead as former Stars Elijiah Barriga batted in a rebound at the far post after Fiske made the initial save.
Marc LeFebvre’s men needed to find a way to rejuvenate themselves for the final period and find a third equaliser on the night but the next goal would go to Adam Keefe’s side as Barriga made it a brace for himself at his former home.
Inside 44 minutes, Gabe Bast’s effort was blocked by Barriga in front of the Dundee goal but he controlled the puck and spun around before lifting the shot past a diving Fiske.
Belfast would then secure their two points with a fifth goal in the 48th minute as Barriga found Bobo Carpenter in space and his shot beat the Stars keeper to make it 5-2.
Tonight, the Stars meet the Panthers in Nottingham and so far this season, Dundee claimed a 5-2 victory on their last visit to Nottinghamshire and then a week later, they clinched a 2-1 home victory over Danny Stewart’s men.
The Panthers have found some form since and last night came from a goal behind to beat their arch rivals, Sheffield Steelers 4-2.
Sam Herr’s brace and lone goals from Kristoff Kontos and Hugo Roy sealed the Panthers first win over the Steelers in 21 games, as they move above Dundee to take sixth place and sit one point ahead.
Speaking after Saturday night’s defeat to Belfast, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “I thought they came at us hard and we expected that after their result last night but we weathered the storm for a bit and I liked how we pushed back.
“I like how we came back and made it 1-1 then 2-2 but unfortunately things happen, especially like they did tonight at the end of the second period and you are down 3-2 going to the third.
“We lost our way a bit in the third with a couple of goals but it was not from a lack of effort.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s trip to Nottingham, he continued: “It is 0-0 and we go again.
“We get on the bus, we go and play and that is all we can do because it does not matter who is in or out of line-up, we still have to play and compete.
“I liked a lot of things in the last week and saw a lot of positives in our team but once we get a full line-up, we will be a hell of a hockey team and I cannot fault the effort the guys are giving right now.”
Face-off time for tonight’s road game in Nottingham is at 4pm.
All images: Panthers Images.
