Winger keen to avoid repeat of situation against Blaze

Dundee Stars are hoping to avoid another “do-or-die” situation as they face two tough tests against English opposition this weekend.

First up for Omar Pacha’s side is a trip to the home of Nottingham Panthers tonight, where they are aiming to take both points away from Rick Strachan’s men for the second time this season.

Dundee come into the match in ninth place and off the back of an important 4-3 win over other play-off hopefuls, Coventry Blaze.

Stars winger Lukas Lundvald revealed that it was “do-or-die” for Dundee going into last Sunday’s third period against Coventry.

He said: “That was what we needed, we all knew that before the third period it was do-or-die.

“We had to find a way to win and we played solid in the last 20 minutes. I was not happy with how we played in the second but we found a way and we want to carry that into this week.”

Dane Lundvald added: “We won the last time we went down there, so of course we can beat any team in the league but it is about playing as close to 60 perfect minutes as possible and if we can do that, we have a chance.”

The team will continue to take things week by week, Lundvald stressed.

He said: “It is always more fun to come out the game after a win.

“We just need to build on it and have a good week of practice and get ready for the weekend.”

Stars return home tomorrow to face Manchester Storm for the third time in less than three weeks.

Dundee were unsuccessful in the last two trips to Manchester but will be fancying their chances of another home win after beating the Storm 3-1 the last time they travelled to Tayside.

Today’s road game will face- off at 7pm and tomorrow’s home match at 5pm.

Meanwhile, Fife Flyers coach Todd Dutiaume last night challenged his men to produce their A-game in the crucial double-header with the Sheffield Steelers.

The first clash is in Yorkshire tonight with the return at Fife Ice Arena tomorrow.

The games follow Flyers’ 4-2 home defeat to Elite League pace-setters the Cardiff Devils and Dutiaume said: “We knew we were going to be up against it being short-staffed and with Cardiff going for the league title.

“I challenged the guys before the game and I thought they responded well and for the majority of that hockey game we were there.”

The experienced coach believes that recently the Fife squad has been playing the type of hockey the fans want to see.

He added: “It has been a real battle to get to the point we are at.

“There are four valuable points at stake going towards securing a play-off spot.”

● Glasgow Clan were beaten 5-4 by Belfast Giants last night.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards.