The Kitmart Dundee Stars are aiming to make it four wins in a row and complete a back-to-back sweep of the Guildford Flames in the second game of this weekend’s double header.

By Kris Smith

The Stars were victorious at home on Saturday night, seeing off the Flames 6-2, despite being 1-0 down and it was also their first regulation win over the Surrey side since Guildford joined the Elite League in 2017.

Calle Ackered’s powerplay goal had Guildford ahead inside 11 minutes before Dundee had a powerplay of their own and Egils Kalns banked a shot off of Matt Marquardt and into the visitors net to tie the game.

Dundee would then take a late first period lead as Kevin Dufour blasted a shot into the far-left top corner, straight from the face-off draw.

Stars defenseman, Shawn Boutin would also score just after a face-off to make it 3-1 early in the second session before Marquardt was the quickest to react to a loose puck and tucked it past Travis Fullerton to move his side 4-1 in front.

The Flames pulled one goal back in the 37th minute as John Dunbar spun with the puck before roofing a backhanded shot over the shoulder of Alex Leclerc.

However, a second late goal came for Dundee as Kalns was in a prime position to tap in the rebound from Craig Gans’ hard shot that was initially stopped by Fullerton.

The only goal of the third period was scored by the Stars as Colton Kroeker lifted Elgin Pearce’s pass up and over the body of the Guildford goalie to make it 6-2 in the 52nd minute.

In the final minute of the game, Paul Dixon’s Flames lost Jordan Abt to a two plus 10 penalty for checking to the head, after Abt made a high it on Dundee’s Pearce.

The English side were already missing Brett Ferguson through suspension last night but after serving his one-game ban, he will available to play on Sunday in Guildford.

Meanwhile, the Stars were still without injured duo, Reilly O’Connor and Brett Stovin and they will not take part in any of this weekend’s action.

The last time Omar Pacha took his side down to the Spectrum Arena, it was on the final day of last year’s regular season and they came away with a shootout win.

Dundee defender, Craig Gans knows how unfortunate the Stars have been to lose players this early in the season but they have already shown they can dig deep to get the win.

He said: “It’s unfortunate having guys out, as everyone has a role to fill on the team, but everyone has been chipping in as a group.

“It just means a lot more reps on the ice, so we just have to be smart and play simple.

“Like against Belfast, the biggest thing was that we just played together as a five-man unit on the ice, helping each other out there and keeping them to the outside.

“If we do that this weekend then we should get the results we are looking for.”

The Canadian also knows the value of winning points on the road in the early stages of the season.

He added: “Road points are huge during the season, every team feels more comfortable at home than on the road, so points should come more easily at home.

“Therefore, collecting those road points gives you that extra push to make it in the playoffs.”

Face-off for Sunday’s game in Guildford is at 6pm.

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Trade-Mart Dundee Stars Team
49 Games
19 Wins
23 Losses
7 OT Losses
45 Points