Booth hits two in Flyers' win

Photo: Flyers Images

Fife Flyers claimed a crucial win in the race for a playoff place with a 4–2 victory over Dundee Stars in Kirkcaldy.

“It’s great to get a win,” said two-goal hero David Booth of the Flyers’ victory. “It’s a rivalry game for us so that was good. We played in Guildford last night and had the travel back this morning, so to come back and win is a big two points for us."

The Flyers started the stronger side, with Booth hitting an early post before opening the scoring at 3:50, firing home an excellent shot after a smart feed from Anton Karlsson. Ian Scheid doubled the lead at 11:27, snapping a neat wrist shot from the slot.

Johan Porsberger almost made it three late in the period, but Emil Kruse produced an excellent diving save to keep the Stars within two after a first period where the visitors created little going forward.

After Fife failed to capitalise on a powerplay early in the second, Dundee got on the board at 32:13. A broken play out of the corner saw Spencer Naas beat Shane Owen short side to halve the deficit. The Flyers responded quickly, however, as Logan Neilson raced in on a breakaway and fired past Kruse with 6:12 remaining in the period to restore the two-goal cushion.

Booth netted his second of the night at 35:38, finishing a slow-developing play across the slot to make it 4-1. Drew McLean then struck the crossbar before the period came to an end.

Fife carried the better of the chances in the third and could have extended their lead further, but Dundee pulled one back with 6:40 remaining when Kameron Kielly finished neatly past Owen on the blocker side.

Kruse was pulled for the extra skater with around 90 seconds left, and Shane Owen nearly found the empty net at the other end, only for Otto Nieminen to block the goalie’s long attempt. Neither side added another goal, and the Flyers closed out a vital 4–2 win.

"We play really well at home, we feed off the crowd’s energy here,’ added Booth. “The crowd really help us here, so I think we do a good job at home. We have to start getting some wins on the road, but if we can keep the momentum up at home that will be good for the rest of the season."