Dundee Stars look to weather Storm in Elite League ice hockey clash

Players to face-off against their former team-mates in crunch meeting

Dundee Stars are looking to bounce back after a double defeats at the hands of the Edinburgh Capitals seven days ago when they face two top Elite League sides this weekend.

First they take on the current league leaders, Manchester Storm, in Altrincham tonight, requiring some much needed points to lift them off the foot of the table.

The sides have welcomed big changes, starting with new head coaches as Omar Pacha left the Storm for the Stars and Ryan Finnerty swapped Braehead Clan for Manchester.

Adam Harding and Taylor Dickin also left the Storm, moving north across the border to join the Stars this summer.

Talking ahead of his return to Manchester, Harding said: “It’s always tough to go play in Manchester in a small rink especially with the big team they have signed this year.

“That said I am really excited to go back and play in Manchester again, you always want to win against your old team, I’m sure Omar and Taylor will be excited also.”

Dundee welcome the arrival of Brian Hart, the brother of ex-Star Kevin Hart, who will add some depth to the squad.

The Stars’ latest signing, Justin Fox, will not arrive in Scotland until next week, with him likely to make his debut the following weekend.

Dundee won six of the eight meetings between the teams last year, and were victorious in all four home games.

Pacha hopes to continue Dundee’s winning ways against his former club.

Tomorrow Sheffield Steelers – faceoff 6.30pm – are Stars’ opposition, with Pacha’s men looking to get a better result than the 8-2 defeat they suffered in Sheffield.

Head coach Pacha, added: “Manchester will be a hard game but it will be exciting to see Brian Hart in action and also try some different line combinations.

“We are looking to go into Manchester and play hard and hope to get a result, then Sunday we need a bounce back performance at home, we need to play the right way for 60 minutes and leave it all on the ice.”

Harding continued: “We always want to win at home in front of our fans and Sheffield will be a tough test for us but we are ready and we owe them one after the last game we played against them.”

Fife Flyers travel to Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup group B tonight before entertaining Braehead Clan at Fife Ice Arena tomorrow.

Picture: Derek Black. Adam Harding will be facing his former team-mates in Altrincham tonight.