By Kris Smith
Dundee Stars come up against Guildford Flames tonight at Dundee Ice Arena, face off 7.00pm. You can buy your tickets HERE! or at Dundee Ice Arena Box Office.
The Stars last came up against Guildford on Sunday and they hit the Surrey side for six goals on the road to claim their second win at the Spectrum Arena, since Guildford entered the EIHL.
The 6-2 defeat added to the Flames recent poor run of form as their bad run extended to one win in their previous seven matches.
Meanwhile, the Stars have won in four of their last six games and the difference between them at the bottom of the Elite League table and the fifth placed English side is just nine points.
However, Dundee are expecting a completely different match with Paul Dixon’s men and know they will have to work hard to shutdown a Flames side that will be hungry for revenge.
Last Sunday, Kevin Dufour netted a hat-trick for the Stars and was named as Elite League Player of the Week for a second time this season.
Dundee’s other three goals came from Jagger Dirk, Drydn Dow and Matt Marquardt, while Jamie Crooks and Jordan Rowley netted for the home side.
Although, they will still be without, defenseman Kris Inglis as he continues his recovery from an upper body injury but there could be a late decision made for winger, Alex Schoenborn.
The American forward picked up a lower body injury last Saturday but will be reassessed before the game against Guildford.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s matches, the Stars boss said: “We just have to make sure we stay grounded and keep building consistency, that’s the most important thing right.
“We are playing some good hockey but we have to make sure we keep going, especially defensively.
“I thought last weekend we were ok at the back but there are still areas we need to improve.
“Against Guildford, I expect a completely different match-up.
“I think they will come out firing and I thought we were a bit lucky at times to be getting some of those chances in the last game and to bury them but we created those opportunities and we have to make sure we come prepared because Guilford will be tough.”
With a chance to climb back into the top eight and be amongst the playoff spots again, the Canadian coach sees that opportunity as another possible confidence boost for his players but remembers that there is still plenty of time for the standings to change.
Pacha added: “It would be a great confidence boost for the guys but at the same time, it’s not about who finishes eighth right now.
“It’s who finishes in that top eight in around 10 weeks time, so we just have to keep taking things one game at a time.
“Guildford is the first one and I’m confident that if we play the way I know we can then we will be successful.”
Stars netminder, Brython Preece is expecting each side to be well rested but knows his teammates can blow out the Flames offence again.
He said: “We both had a busy schedule over the Christmas break but both teams will be well rested coming into Saturday.
“They play hard but when we play in our system and working well defensively, then we can shut their offence down.”
The 22-year-old has faced the dangerous Guildford offence this season but knows if the team play well defensively then they can shut down any offence in this league.
Preece added: “You give any team in this league time and space they can be dangerous with the puck.
“However, we have been playing well in the d-zone lately and if we continue to play well defensively then we will have success.”
Tonight’s game at home against Guildford will face-off at 7.00pm, buy your tickets NOW!
Remember that we will be hosting our 90’s Jersey auction after the first period and also we will host a 90’s theme disco in the big bar post game.
