Stars win thriller in Fife

Photo: Flyers Images

A packed Auld Barn in Kirkcaldy saw Fife Flyers and Dundee Stars put on a thrilling Hogmanay game, with the visitors eventually winning in a shootout.

“It’s good to finally get a win!” said Stars captain Drydn Dow. “Obviously there are still areas we can improve, but to come out of this game with a shootout win is huge for our team and hopefully a step in the right direction.”

The sides split five goals in an eventful opening period. A turnover allowed the Stars to open the scoring through Otto Nieminen at 8:24. The Flyers then enjoyed 5-on-3 time and levelled at 10:12 when Keaton Jameson set up David Booth for a point shot. Matt Berry restored Dundee’s lead at 14:07, before Milan Lucic blasted home straight off a Jameson faceoff win for his first EIHL goal. Quick passing then allowed Dow to put the Stars ahead for the third time with 10 seconds left in the period.

A patient pass from Ian Scheid set up Logan Neilson for Fife’s third tying goal of the night at 30:34. After Dundee killed a bench minor, Craig Moore came out of the box on a breakaway which Shane Owen saved, but he lost sight of the puck and Kameron Kielly poked it in to put the Stars back ahead 2:43 before the break.

“We’ve been struggling to score of late, so to put up five tonight is big for our team,” added Dow.

With just under nine minutes left in regulation, Fife tied the game again. An excellent Mason Alderson pass sprung an odd-man rush where Scheid fed Justin Ducharme, who then set up Johan Porsberger to make it 5-5.

Both sides deservedly took a point with the game going to overtime. Dundee controlled most of the extra session, although Lucic had a late chance to win it seconds before the buzzer.

In the shootout, Dow hit the winner in the sixth round to secure the Stars the extra point.

“We’re not happy with where we are right now. We know we have a good team and it’s just a matter of playing 60 minutes every night. If we build on what we did tonight, I think we have a good chance to take some steps forward in the new year,” concluded Dow.