By Kris Smith
The Stars will be aiming to make a winning start in the regular season tonight and determined to avenge a 6-3 defeat they suffered at home last night.
On the opening weekend of the new season, Dundee began with a Challenge Cup fixture against Belfast Giants on Saturday night, but were unable to secure an early pair of vital points.
Kyle Haas, Connor Sills and Philippe Sanche provided the home side’s three goals but they could not supress the firepower of the Giants.
Although, the Taysiders were already missing defenders, Michael Poirier and Craig Moore, but also lost blueliner, Drew Rumgay in the first period to injury.
All three are likely to be missing from tonight’s game in Nottingham and this will be the first time the Stars face the Panthers since January 4, 2020.
In that last meeting, Dundee recovered from 3-0 down in the first period to force the Panthers into a shootout, where they eventually lost out 4-3 after Drydn Dow’s shot was saved.
Tim Wallace’s men have a much changed side for the new season, but some familiar faces remain in their roster, such goaltender, Kevin Carr, defenseman, Mark Matheson and as ex-Stars loanee, Jordan Kelsall.
However, there are plenty Dundee players who are used to making the trip to Nottingham, as Adam Morrison, Moore, Dillon Lawrence, Caly Robertson and Toms Rutkis all have plenty of experience against the Panthers.
Looking ahead to his side’s first road game, Stars Head Coach, Omar Pacha, said: “To start the regular season off with a win would be massive, especially on the road in Nottingham.
“It is a weird one, as we play in both Challenge Cup and the league on the opening weekend.
“I am expecting a hard game, it will be a quick turnaround and an early departure but, we will try to do our best.
“I am really excited for this weekend, as we are going to have all our forwards in, and potentially be without one or two defensemen, but hopefully we will have enough in the tank for this second game.”
Face-off for tonight’s game at the Motorpoint Arena is at 4pm and you can win Craig Garrigan’s game worn shirt by buying a raffle ticket HERE and you can enter tonight’s 50/50 HERE.
