By Kris Smith
To start off week 13 of our ‘Look Back’ series, we will be taking you back to the 2013-2014 campaign, which was the club’s 13th year in existence and their fourth season of competing in the Elite League.
Over the course of that season, the Stars played a total of 52 Elite League games and achieved their highest finish to date in the British topflight.
In the 2013-2014 campaign, the Elite League was again contested by the same ten teams and Belfast Giants were crowned league champions, after winning 89 points, which was 29 points more than third place, Dundee collected.
Although, the Stars were the highest ranked Scottish club that season, with Braehead Clan coming fifth, Fife Flyers seventh and Edinburgh Capitals propped up the league with 27 points, a 25 point gap to the Cardiff Devils in ninth.
Therefore, there was a four point difference between Dundee and Braehead, a seven-point gap between the Stars and Flyers and then a 33 point void between Jeff Hutchins men and the Caps.
After the regular seasons had ended, Dundee had a record of 28-20-4 (wins-losses-overtime losses) and they scored 152 goals and conceded 148 over the 52 fixtures.
In the playoffs, the Stars faced their arch enemies from Kirkcaldy but were unable to get a victory in either leg of the Quarter-Finals.
A 4-1 loss in Dundee was followed up by a 4-3 defeat in Fife and that brought the Stars post-season to an early end.
Lubomir Vaskovic netted the only Dundee goal in the home leg before Nikita Kashirsky had a three-point night in the second leg, where he scored twice and set-up Rory Rawlyk’s goal.
The Flyers then went on to lose 1-0 to Belfast in the Semi-Finals and then they were defeated 7-6 in the third place match against Braehead.
Although, Sheffield Steelers went on to win the playoff trophy and rob the Giants of a Grand Slam season.
The Tayside team also competed in the Elite League’s Challenge Cup again and qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in four years.
The Stars came second in Group A, with 10 points from eight matches and were only behind Belfast, who won the group with 14 points.
Dundee had five wins and three losses in Group A and they scored 21 goals, while only conceding 18 times but they were also the highest ranked Scottish team, as Fife came third, Braehead fourth and Edinburgh bottom of the five team group.
Although, Hutchin’s men were eliminated in the Quarter-Finals by Sheffield Steelers after losing 10-5 on aggregate and the Giants went on to win the Challenge Cup.
That season’s top point was American forward, Nico Sacchetti, who put up 81 points in 55 games and he led the team in goals and assists as well, with 38 strikes and 43 helpers.
Also, for a second consecutive season, player-coach, Jeff Hutchins was the most penalised player on the team with 180 penalty minutes from 60 appearances.
In the 2013-2014 season, the team had two active netminders in Dan Bakala and Craig Chalmers.
While, the Dundee blueline was manned by such names as; Tysen Dowzak, James Isaacs, Dylan Qualie, Rory Rawlyk and Paul Swindlehurst.
Whereas, leading the Stars sharp-shooting offence, was players like; John Dolan, Kashirsky, Jack McLellan, Bari McKenzie, Marcis Zembergs and captain, Brock McPherson.
However, when American winger, Jerry Pollastrone made a blistering start to the season, he was poached by Swedish club, Mora IK but the team still had some Elite League experience in returning duo, Mike Wirll and Bill Bagron.
Next we will be bringing you a look back at one Star Player from the 2013-2014 season and that will be released Wednesday at 12pm!
If you want to be a part of the historic 20th Dundee Stars season then you can buy your season tickets by contacting [email protected]
