Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pacha praise after winning
DUNDEE Stars ice hockey team picked up full points from their two games against Edinburgh Capitals to keep their play-off hopes very much alive.
The first match i n Dundee on Saturday saw them turn in a gritty performance to win 7-4, coming back from a 2-0 deficit. The return in Edinburgh last night went to a penalty shootout after which the Taysiders collected a 2-1 win.
After the first game, Stars coach Omar Pacha said: “That was a huge two points.
“It probably wasn’t the prettiest hockey game we have played but it was a win.
“We didn’t start very well. The first period was one of the worst we have played in a while.
“We deserved to go two goals down. Between the first and second periods we had a team meeting and I felt we started to move our feet, started looking for men, played a lot better and got the goals we needed.
“By the third period, we were using our speed more and deserved the win.”
Cody Carlson commented after his debut: “I thought it went great tonight.
“We have a lot of really good guys in the locker room and I am impressed by the way coach Pacha handles the team.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and think things are going to turn around. We are going to fight for that play-off spot.”
Pacha added after last night’s game: “It wasn’t our best performance.
“However, the guys laid their bodies on the line and we got the result we wanted.
“Going into the overtime period two men down showed the character these guys have and they were tremendous in keeping Edinburgh out.
“I will put results over performance any time. It wasn’t pretty but we got the points and that’s what we set out to do.
“There is room to improve but we are collecting points and that’s what we have to do from here on in.
“Our fans have been outstanding over the two nights and I want to thank them for their great support. It really gives a great boost to the guys.”
In a pulsating match in Dundee, it took only 24 seconds for the first goal to arrive, Sergei Banashkov netting for Capitals.
Dylan Anderson made it 2-0 Capitals but Stars got back into the game when Adam Harding tipped in the puck from in front of goal.