Stars target semi-finals as they welcome sheffield

Dundee Stars will take on last year’s Challenge Cup finalists Sheffield Steelers tonight as they attempt to gain a home advantage over the Yorkshire club in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Omar Pacha’s side qualified in the wild card position after defeating Belfast, Fife and Edinburgh at home but lost to each team on the road to finish third in Group B.

Steelers topped their group after winning six games against Braehead Clan, Manchester Storm and Nottingham Panthers.

Dundee had a mixed weekend, losing 5-1 in Milton Keynes on Saturday with Brian Hart netting Stars’ only goal.

However, a strong performance against Storm 24 hours later snapped a seven-game losing streak, with goals from Gabriel Lévesque (2), Jimmy Jensen, Riley Stadel and Adam Harding helping the Stars come out on top.

Dundee’s previous results against Steelers have not been favourable – two 8-2 defeats at Ice Sheffield as well as 5-2 and 7-2 losses on home ice.

The odds are heavily stacked against Stars but the Tayside team can take heart after upsetting the odds last season with a 4-0 win over Steelers at the DIA last season.

Stars’ Taylor Dickin – now in his third season of Elite League hockey – is experienced when it comes to Challenge Cup action and is looking forward to the first leg.

He said: “The guys are feeling good coming off a big win at home and a good overall team game.

“We are looking to carry that performance over to the Sheffield game to give us our best chance for victory. We know what to expect from Sheffield this year.

“The aim is to put the pressure on them going back to their barn next week.”

Taylor Dickin is targeting victory for Stars.