By Kris Smith
The Stars have put together a good run of form recently, winning five of their last six matches and now they are aiming to keep the positive results coming as they head into the busy December schedule.
Last night, Dundee prevailed in their first Scottish rivalry match of the season, against Glasgow Clan and were 5-2 winners on home ice.
Charlie Combs’ wonder goal, along with strikes from Gabriel Desjardins and Sebastian Bengtsson had the Stars 3-1 up after one period, before in the second, Connor Sills added a fourth.
Colton Yellow Horn and Cody Sol were on the scoresheet for Glasgow as they trailed 4-2 heading into final session, where a late powerplay goal for Timi Lahtinen secured the victory.
On Wednesday, the Stars prevailed against Jarrod Skalde’s men and won the first leg of their Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, 4-2.
Sanche, Dorowicz, Timi Lahtinen and Bengtsson netted Dundee’s four goals, while Trevor Cox and Joshua Batch were on target for the Devils.
Meanwhile, the Devils were taken to overtime by the Storm in Manchester but eventually came out with a 3-2 victory.
Goals from Josh Lammon and Brodie Reid had the Welsh side ahead twice but Curtis Hamilton and Jared Vanwormer pegged Jarrod Skalde’s men, before Matt Register netted the game-winner 90 seconds into extra time.
However, Cardiff will be without forward, Brandon McNally tonight after he was given a two game suspension following his ejection from the first leg of the Quarter-Finals for fighting.
Whereas, Dundee defensemen, Kris Inglis and Markus Kankaanperä will not be available and last night, the club announced that forward, Cody Drover has departed.
Previewing his side’s first trip to the Viola Arena this season, Stars Head Coach, Omar Pacha said: “It is a bit more of a clean slate now that it is league points that are up for grabs.
“So, it is a bit different but I am sure it is going to be a spicey match.
“Overall, I am expecting a tough challenge, because Cardiff away is always a tough challenge but we will stick to our game plan and try to get another great result.”
Speaking after last night’s home win, Stars defenseman, Michael Poirier then explained what he is expecting ahead of tonight road game.
He said: “We have been told by the boys that it is a tough day of travel, like nine or 10 hours on the bus, so we just have to make sure we are prepared for that first puck drop.
“We saw Cardiff early in the year and saw that they are a really skilled team but we were able to contain them in the last game.
“So, we know what they can do and we will have to be able to weather the storm in their building.”
He continued: “That is a team that does not like losing.
“Whether or not they are at home or on the road and we kind of handed it to them last game, so I am sure their coach is going to make them prepare for us coming into their barn.”
The Canadian the shared what the team is focusing on to make sure they come home with another two points.
Michael added: “We just have to continue what we have been doing.
“We have really found our identity in the last few weeks and we are a team that focuses more on our defensive zone and containing our interior and what we call “the house” in front of Mo (Adam Morrison).
“That has been working the last couple of games, so we just have to keep building off of that.”
Sunday’s road game in Cardiff will face-off at 6pm.
