The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stars have no answer to Steelers’ power
Home woes go on for Dundee as Sheffield hit six
Stars were unable to fix their home form after being brushed aside by the Steelers at Dundee Ice Arena last night.
The visitors took the lead after just 31 seconds when a poor clearance by Mike Sullivan popped out in front of Stars’ goal and Josh Pitt was there to fire past Pontus Sjogren.
Dundee killed off a penalty before equalising through Shawn Boutin. The Stars defender had time on the puck before firing a shot into the top corner of Climie’s net inside the sixth minute.
The Sheffield keeper made a handful of saves to deny the hosts but it was Steelers that went ahead again after a bobbling puck was controlled by Jordan Owens and his shot from a difficult angle beat Sjögren in the 12th minute.
Stars fans were cheering as a shot crossed the line but referees Toby Craig and Steve Brown had called a tripping penalty on Robert Dowd.
The visitors found a break while shorthanded and captain Jonathon Phillips made it 3-1 with 34 seconds of the first period left.
Stars failed to make anything happen with their remaining powerplay time in the second period but after a few minutes of back and forth play, Sjogren made a big stop to keep his side just two goals behind on the 26 minute mark.
Sheffield bagged their first powerplay goal on their third attempt of the night in the second period.
O’Connor’s shot was deflected by Stefan Della Rovere and it looped over the Dundee goalie, moving the Steelers 4-1 ahead in the 29th minute.
Stars were in need of a goal but every time they won possession, they were heavily pressured by their opponents and Sheffield continued to pound the Stars goalie with shots but Sjogren stood firm.
Dundee needed a big third period but defenceman Chaloupka would not return after sustaining an injury.
Stars could not find a way through the Yorkshire club’s defence and Steelers moved ahead 5-1 up on the powerplay when O’Connor fired a slapshot low past Sjogren in the 52nd minute.
Martinelli quickly made it 6-1 after Jonathon Phillips saw his shot saved in the 55th minute.
Fife Flyers responded from an early setback to claim a 3-2 Elite League victory over Manchester Storm on Saturday at Fife Ice Arena.
Todd Dutiaume, Fife’s head coach, said: “They scored a goal after 12 seconds which was quite disappointing for us.
“There were times we were a little flat in the second but I think that is what happens in a back and forth game.”
It was a physical contest and Dutiaume said: “It is no secret that we were built on skill and speed. At this moment they build a team that is tailormade for their building.
“It is a direction that the league is moving away from but it is a successful model for them (Storm).”