Night to forget as Stars crash in the capital

Ice hockey: Dundee lose league clash

EDINBURGH CAPITALS 5 DUNDEE STARS 1

Travis Fullerton may have been ditched by Braehead Clan after 13 games last season but the netminder is proving a great capture by Edinburgh Capitals as he helped shoot down Dundee Stars.

Last night the Canadian stop per pulled off a string of quality stops to deny Stars, with Marc Lefebvre’s side eventually going down 5-1 in this Elite League clash.

The 28-year-old’s calming influence was particularly evident as Stars battled back into the game after being 4-0 down after the first period.

Matt Tipoff had opened the scoring after 11 minutes when a break down the left ended with the puck slipping slowly over the line.

The second followed four minutes later when Taylor MacDougall slotted after Mason Wilgosh dug the puck out from behind the net.

And a piece of magic from Pavel Vorobyev, beating two men with the flick of his wrists and then guiding the puck into the far corner, saw number 3 arrive after 17 minutes.

Jacob Johnston ended the nightmare session for Dundee when he scored from an almost impossible angle on the goal line, the puck being fired towards goal and sliding home off goalkeeper Joe Fallon’s pads.

Fullerton came into his own in the second session, saving twice in quick succession from Felix Antoine Poulin.

He then stopped Kevin Hart opening Dundee’s account and denied debutant Kevin Bruijsten with a point-blanks ave as the newcomer stood unmarked at the back post.

More was to follow and he then put the shutters up against Joey de Concilys with his left pad, much to the frustration of the Dundee players and their fans.

Hart eventually broke through after being set up by Cale Tanaka and Matt White after 47 minutes but Stars’ joy lasted just 11 minutes, with MacDougall netting his second of the night to end the contest.

Meanwhile Fife Flyers have slammed ice hockey chiefs for failing to ban Braehead Clan left-wing Jay Rosehill after an on-ice flare-up.

The Canadian and former Dundee Stars defenceman James Isaacs clashed in the first period of Sunday’s Challenge Cup fixture at Kirkcaldy, which Bra e head won 6-2.

Flyers requested that the Department of Player Safety (DOPS) review the incident in which 31-year-old Rosehill was given a two-minute penalty for charging.

The DOPS yesterday upgraded it to a five-minute plus game penalty.

AD OPS spokesman said :“This doesn’ t carry a suspension, but will remain on Rosehill’s personal record.”

A statement issued yesterday by Steve McLean, Flyers’ social media and web developer, alleged that Rosehill “repeatedly checks Flyers player James Issacs from behind to the head, lastly, whilst Issacs’ head is face down on the ice.

The statement added: “As this was a blatant cross check to the head from behind, Flyers presumed that this (incident) would be automatically reviewed.

“The incident was widely shared on social media, highlighting the incident and provoking much negative comment. It is extremely disappointing that, at this stage, no review has yet been carried out.

“Ice hockey is a tough physical sport, but this type of behaviour can not be tolerated in anyway, at any level of the sport.

“This incident must be reviewed and dealt with properly. Player safety is paramount.”