Stars seal last eight spot after losing to Clan

Dundee group runners-up

Dundee Stars booked their place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals last night despite another penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Glasgow Clan.

The teams were locked at 4-4 after sudden-death overtime when three misses in the shoot-out handed Clan victory.

However, despite the defeat Omar Pacha’s side are through to the last eight as the single point was enough to ensure they finished as group runners-up to Belfast Giants.

Hosts Glasgow got off to a perfect start by netting after 40 seconds, with Matt Beca’s pass to Travis Ehrhardt allowing the defenceman to fire a quick shot past the screened Pontus Sjögren.

There were some big chances for Dundee as Joel Rumpel was forced to cover up a few loose rebounds after he stopped some difficult shots.

Connor Cox then hit the side netting after a quick slap pass by Lukas Lundvald, while Brian Hart managed to tip a Matt Marquardt pass but it could not beat the Clan netminder.

Stars were peppering the Clan goalie with shots in the final two minutes but still failed to beat him as Pete Russell’s side held on to their lead until the first break.

The hosts then made it 2-0 when Jack Musil’s shot from the right circle went off the underside of the bar and Craig Peacock beat Sjögren with a low tap in at the back door to make it 3-0 in the 28th minute.

A good check from Kris Inglis allowed Stars to break and from the chance Lundvald fired his shot off the post but Marquardt was there to apply the finishing touch with 58 seconds left to play. Then to Stars fans’ amazement, Francois Bouchard released a shot from deep in the Clan end that was redirected past Rumpel by Mike Sullivan – 30 seconds after they scored their first goal.

Pacha’s men responded late to tee-up an intense third period.

Dundee had an excellent start to the third as Jordan Cownie’s effort was blocked but Bouchard was there to knock the puck over the shoulder of Rumpel, with a backhanded shot in the 43rd minute, tying it at 3-3.

Jordan Kelsall had a chance on the breakaway after the restart but his shot was sent over the Clan net. Marquardt fired the visitors ahead on the power play but Clan responded and Gerard Hanson levelled to send the game into extra-time.

Stars had led in the penalty session through Bouchard but Rasmus Bjerrum levelled with the next shot.

Both Drydn Dow and Fabrizio Ricci missed for Stars before Marquardt also failed to hit the target, leaving Beca to beat Sjögren to seal a second straight penalty shoot-out win for Clan over Dundee.

Stars are in Manchester on Saturday to face-off against the Storm.

l Fife Flyers are away to bottom side Sheffield Steelers tonight.