Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Stars shine but defeated by Cardiff Devils
DUNDEE Stars battled for their lives and created lots of chances but ultimately were unable to defeat the Cardiff Devils, as they lost 3-2 at home on Sunday and 7-4 on aggregate.
The Stars made no changes to their line-up from the last regular season game as goaltender Kevin Carr and forward Craig Garrigan remained out through injury and Lucas Brine kept his place between the pipes.
Dundee got off to a good start in Cardiff as they were able to get a few shots on Ben Bowns in the Cardiff net right from the start and they came so close to scoring as one shot hit the post.
The home team would then have two chances on the powerplay after Dundee defenders Chris McKay and Drydn Dow both picked up twominute minor penalties but the Devils would fail to cash-in on their man advantages.
But soon after the Stars returned to full strength, Samuel Duggan slotted home a rebound after Brine made the initial save to put the Welsh side in front.
Marc LeFebvre’s men would answer back swiftly in the second period as Ryan Valentini drew Dundee level after only 54 seconds of play.
However, Cardiff would be able to regain the lead just 33 seconds later as Tyler Busch followed up on his own blocked pass.
The Stars scored again, to tie the game once more and this time it was Jake Elmer, who deked his way past Bowns.
The next goal would come inside 34 minutes as Bode Wilde’s slapshot beat everyone to put the Devils 3-2 ahead.
Pete Russell’s side quickly doubled their advantage with Busch adding his second in the 42nd minute.
The Stars fought hard but Cardiff held a two-goal advantage.
On Sunday, it was a fastpaced and very open start as both teams tried to quickly find a crucial goal and the first came after only three minutes, as Ryan Valentini’s hold-up play allowed Spencer Naas to sneak in at the back post.
With only one goal separating the teams on aggregate, Dundee were so close to finding the equaliser, but they would be stung by a Cardiff goal in the seventh minute.
A pile of bodies in front of the Dundee net unsighted Brine and allowed Jamie Arniel’s effort to hit someone in front and drop behind the Stars goalie.
Pete Russell’s side then took the game’s first penalty with five seconds left in the first period as Devils defenseman, Cody Donaghey was boxed for cross-checking.
With Dundee’s forwards caught on a line change, Cardiff capitalised and outnumbered the Stars as they moved in on goal with Justin Crandall turning home Bode Wilde’s cross-goal pass to give the Welsh outfit a three-goal cushion in the tie.
Ully was back in the box after the Devils scored their second, as he cross-checked Kyle Pouncy into the boards and the Stars once again started the next period on the powerplay.
LeFebvre’s men continued to be kept out by Bowns who repelled shot after shot, eventually totalling 50 saves on the night and the Devils all but secured their place in the semifinals as Arniel beat Brine again with a low effort between the legs.
The Stars got one back late in the third, finally scoring on a powerplay as Drydn Dow’s effort flew past Bowns to make it 3-2 on the night.