Disappointment at the double for Dundee

Ice Hockey: Fife Flyers recover from bad Blaze with a fine Capital show

Dundee Stars suffered a double dose of disappointment at the weekend, losing both of their key clashes to rivals Braehead Clan.

After going down 3-1 in Glasgow on Saturday night, they lost out by the odd goal in seven at Dundee Ice Arena last night as their play-off hopes were dented.

After a goalless first period last night, Stars got the start they needed in the second as Omar Pacha fired in a shot from a wide angle and Brian Hart was able to redirect it past Ryan Nie to give Dundee the lead at 21:20.

Clan were level when Adam Brace stole the puck and converted at 33:15.

They then went ahead through Brendan Brooks who scored on the rebound at 34:39.

Matt Haywood put Clan 3-1 up after his shot hit Travis Fullerton before landing in the back of the net at 45:13.

A mistake by Chris Lawrence allowed Adam Brace to feed the puck to Brooks, who fired a one-timer past Fullerton to increase the lead to 4-1 at 47:52.

Stars got a break after Brian Hart sent a pass back to the trailing Cody Carlson who blasted it past Nie, pulling them back to just two goals behind at 48:39.

The home side found another gear as Gabriel Lévesque dropped the puck off for Brian Hart and he popped his shot over the shoulder of Nie to make it a one goal game at 53:26.

Despite a determined effort from Stars they couldn’t find an equaliser.

When the final buzzer sounded, John Tripp’s side celebrated after securing a four-point weekend over Dundee. They are now five points ahead of Stars and sit in the final play-off spot.

Dundee must now prepare for a huge game against Belfast in Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening.

Stars have a chance to capitalise on their first game in hand which could slowly rebuild their momentum for their play-off push.

Meanwhile, Fife Flyers snapped a disappointing two-game losing run with a 3-0 victory over Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield last night.

The nightmare continues for the Edinburgh men, however, as they slipped to their 37th defeat of the season.

Liam Heelis netted a double with Shayne Stockton scoring the other goal, leaving Capitals with only four wins in 41 league fixtures.

On Saturday, Coventry Blaze snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Flyers to hand coach Danny Stewart a welcome birthday present.

Kirkcaldy-born forward Josh Scoon admitted Flyers were “out-battled” by a team scrapping for points.

Fife also lost at Belfast Giants on Friday and Scoon added: “You could blame the travel, but no excuses.

“It was not good enough and we got what we deserved. Stewey (Danny Stewart) had his team working hard and ultimately we got out-battled.”

It was not good enough and we got what we deserved. Stewey (Danny Stewart) had his team working hard and ultimately we got out-battled. JOSH SCOON FIFE FLYERS

Picture: Derek Black. Dundee Stars and Braehead Clan battle for possession at this face-off in their clash at Dundee Ice Arena last night.