Stars done in by a dreadful start

DUNDEE CCS Stars were on the receiving end of a 5-3 defeat from Fife Flyers in Dundee last night.

The home side lost four first period goals that had them playing catch-up for the remainder of the match. Though they dominated most of the 60 minutes, that first period spell proved to be decisive.

Stars started the game with Craig Cescon and Joey Sides returning but Justin Faryna Scott Brannan sat it out through injury.

Fife stunned Stars with their first attack of the game when a Carlo Finucci shot rebounded off Joe Fallon and Matt Sisca was on hand to fire in the rebound.

Two minutes later, Flyers added a second when a shot from Rik Jackman flew through a ruck of players.

The Fifers added a third through ex-Stars player David Turon.

In 10 minutes, Stars were on the powerplay when Fife’s Sisca was given two minutes for tripping but apart from a shot from Kevin Bruijsten that was covered by Shane Owen, Flyers comfortably killed off any threat.

The first period was turning into a nightmare for Dundee when, after 17 minutes, a shot from Sisca was saved by Fallon but Finucci was following up to net goal No 4.

Ironically the first period ended with Stars outshooting Fife 14-8 but Flyers made four of them count.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Stars finally got on the scoresheet when a shot from Cale Tanaka was turned into the net by Bruijsten.

It was Stars’ turn to pile on the pressure but Owen in the Fife nets was stopping all that was thrown at him at this stage.

On 32 minutes, Fife’s Chase Shaber took two minutes for slashing and two minutes for hooking leaving Dundee on a four minute powerplay. However, as the home side pressed the Fife nets it was the visitors who struck when a speculative shot from Turon found the net.

However, back came Stars and on 35, Brett Switzer pulled a goal back on the powerplay after Bruijsten hit the post and he pounced to net the rebound.

With three minutes remaining in the middle session, Stars’ Cescon and Flyers’ Shaber were given two minutes for roughing and five minutes for fighting.

The second period ended with Dundee dominating, outshooting Fife 17-4

In 53 minutes, a shot from de Concilys was tipped in by Scarcella to bring the game back to 5-3 and that’s how it ended.

Tonight Stars are away Braehead Clan (7.30). to

Dundee CCS Stars’ Matt White see this attempt saved by Fife Flyers goalie Shane Owen.