By Kris Smith
The Stars and Glasgow Clan currently both sit 33 points with Dundee having played 38 games to Glasgow’s 35, although tonight Marc LeFebvre’s men are in Altrincham for a battle with the Storm, whilst the Clan host Guildford Flames.
The right results this weekend can see Dundee move four-points ahead of and above Glasgow, if they can get off to the right start tonight in Manchester.
The Taysiders come into the weekend off the back of an 8-5 away win over Fife Flyers last weekend as they responded to a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Panthers, whilst the Storm were beaten 3-1 by both Belfast Giants and Sheffield Steelers last week.
Tonight, the Stars return to the Storm Shelter for only the second time this season and on their last visit in November, it ended in a 6-3 win for the home team and since then, they have only clashed once more, with Manchester edging a 4-3 victory in Scotland.
Currently, the Storm sit eight points behind Dundee in ninth place but with three games in hand, a four-point swing tonight is exactly what the English club need to thrust themselves back into the race for a playoff spot.
Looking ahead to a big weekend for his side, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We know the implications of tonight’s game, it is a playoff game and we have a chance to create some separation between us and them, especially with the games in that they have.
“We have to find a way to beat Manchester, they have been our bogey team this season and are the only team we have not beaten yet, so there is no time like now.
“It is not just about getting into the playoffs for us, we want to climb the standings so there are two big points on offer tonight and with 16 games to go, I would like us to continue this good form we are in.
“We have played some good hockey these last few weeks, so we just have to continue with that pace and scoring form, which should get us over the line and that continues tonight in Manchester.”
Face-off for tonight’s road game in Manchester is at 7:30pm.
All images: Storm Images.
