Four-point weekend for Stars

Photo: Derek Black

Dundee Stars made it a four-point weekend with an important win over Scottish rivals Glasgow Clan, who are also chasing a playoff place. 2,220 fans saw it happen.

There were five goals in the opening period at the Dundee Ice Arena, with the hosts racing into a commanding lead. James Phelan opened the scoring just 97 seconds in when he was left all alone in front of Kevin Lindskoug. That lead became two thanks to an excellent Jake Elmer shot that hit the roof of the net without most of the rink noticing at 10:51, while just under two minutes later Spencer Naas made it three – bringing a premature end to Lindskoug’s night. Naas struck again at 16:29, finishing an excellent Dryndn Dow reverse pass from behind the net, while Michael Pelech pulled one back for Clan 37 seconds later.

Clan tried for the entirety of period two to find a way back into the game, but after not getting past Carr they then saw Ryan Valentini put one behind Antti Karjalainen with 27 seconds left in the period to make it 5-1.

Two quick goals at the start of period three turned the complexion of the game. Philippe Sanche netted in front at 41:54 before Gary Haden cut the deficit back to two goals at 44:49, prompting Marc LeFebvre to call his time-out to steady his Stars team. That turned out to prove a real difference, with the Stars beginning to find their feet in the game again. Just under ten minutes after conceding that third goal, Carter Johnson put the Stars 6-3 up. Anthony Rinaldi added a seventh off a rebound with 3:39 to play to settle things in favour of the home side.