Dundee Stars keen to be Giants killers

Dundee Stars begin both their Challenge Cup and Elite League campaigns this weekend as the visit of Belfast Giants and a trip to Nottingham Panthers mark the return of competitive action.

The Stars come into tonight’s opening fixture of the Challenge Cup off the back of a successful pre-season training camp and will be looking to make a strong start to life in Group A.

This is the first time both sides will have met since January 2 2020 and the two much-changed teams will be keen to get their first win as soon as possible.

Connor Sills, Philippe Sanche and Dillon Lawrence were both quick to impress the Dundee fanbase last weekend as they gave Omar Pacha’s men a swift 3-0 lead in Friday’s pre-season game against Fife Flyers.

The Giants have not played any pre-season friendlies, so their first real test will be against Stars at the Dundee Ice Arena.

Adam Keefe has been able to secure the return of his former standout netminder Tyler Beskorowany and has added NHL experience in Canadian defenseman Griffin Reinhart.

Meanwhile, the Northern Irish club have plenty of proven attacking threats in Ciaran Long, Darcy Murphy and also Ben Lake, who netted on his last visit to the DIA.

Dundee are likely to be missing both Michael Poirier and Craig Moore from the backend for this weekend’s matches.

Looking ahead to his side’s first cup match, Pacha said: “We are expecting to see the hardworking team that I am hoping to see every week.

“We are trying to get better every day and I am confident that an extra week of practice was a big help but we do not really know as we have not seen Belfast yet this year.

“I am excited to see more of our team as Gabby (Gabriel Desjardins) is here now and we just have to move forward and start our Challenge Cup campaign positively.”

Looking back on the great turnout from the Stars fans last week, Pacha added: “The home support last week was phenomenal and to have a sell-out after 18 months was a great feeling and I am really happy for everyone involved at the club.

“The fans were great – they were loud and proud and made it hard for Fife to play.

“I felt we had a great jump at the start because the guys were all excited to play for more than 2,000 people.”

Tonight’s match in Dundee faces-off at 7pm. Stars kick-off their Elite League season in Nottingham at 4pm tomorrow.