FIFE FLYERS 2 TRADE-MART DUNDEE STARS 3
The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars won their fourth straight game against rivals Fife Flyers last night as they claimed a 3-2 road victory in the Boxing Day Tayside Derby.
By Kris Smith
The Flyers would make a fast start to the match as Tyler Heidt skated in on the Dundee goal and slotted the puck past Jarrett Fiske after only 72 seconds of play, although their lead would be short-lived.
With Fife’s Michael Cichy in the penalty box for roughing, the Stars would score just six seconds into their powerplay as Zach Tsekos won possession from the face-off, drew the pass back to captain Drydn Dow and he put a shot on goal that would be tipped home by Brendan Harms inside the fifth minute.
The Stars began to take control of the game but were unable to turn any of their chances into the lead as Naas would be denied by the post and their second powerplay would come up empty as the two teams went in level at 1-1 to the first break.
In the second period, the Flyers again started quickly and this time it was Massimo Carozza finishing off a cross-goal pass from Kieran Craig as the home team capitalised on a two-on-one break, on 22 minutes.
However, Marc LeFebvre’s men produced another response and just four minutes later, Naas set up Tsekos from the opposite flank and the Canadian stuck the puck into the top corner of Shane Owen’s net.
The Stars then went on to dominate the middle frame, outshooting their rivals 4-19 but neither side was able to find the go-ahead-goal before the final intermission.
The third period would be a battle for every inch as each team fought hard for the lead but the game-deciding goal would not come until the 54th minute as after Dundee killed off a penalty against Kris Inglis for slashing, they broke down the ice and took the lead.
Stars forward, Brett Gravelle would drag Owen away from his net before cutting a pass back to Philippe Sanche, who tapped home to make it 3-2.
Johnny Curran’s men then put their opponents under heavy pressure in the final minutes but were unable to break down the Dundee defence once more as Curran also used his timeout and pulled Owen in exchange for an extra attacker.
The final buzzer sealed back-to-back victories for the Stars and they will meet the Flyers again on Saturday in Dundee as they do it all again, where a win could see Marc LeFebvre’s outfit move back into the playoff spots.
Man of the Match
Dundee: #33 Jarrett Fiske
Fife: #86 Lucas Chiodo
Goals
1st:
1-0 Tyler Heidt (Jordy Stallard) 01:32
1-1 Brendan Harms (Drydn Dow, Zach Tsekos) 04:44 PPG
2nd:
2-1 Massimo Carozza (Kieran Craig, Ryan Foss) 22:05
2-2 Zach Tsekos (Spencer Naas, Cole MacDonald) 25:34
3rd:
2-3 Philippe Sanche (Brett Gravelle, Zach Tsekos) 53:35
All images: Flyers Images.
