Discipline key in double-header

Dundee Stars head coach Omar Pacha called on his side to stay disciplined as they completed final preparations for this weekend’s double-header with playoff rivals Braehead Clan.

Pacha’s side travel to Glasgow tonight with John Tripp’s men just a point ahead of Stars in the Elite League standings.

The Dundee chief sees this weekend as a chance to climb the league table and the Gardiner Conference standings.

A four-point weekend for the Tayside outfit would move them into second in the conference with a two-point advantage and with two games in hand.

Pacha believes if his side can stay disciplined and use their speed they will be successful against Clan.

He said: “It is going to be a tough weekend but our expectations are to play consistent hockey through the two games.

“It is a tough building in Braehead, but we have to set the tone early and take it to them and use our speed really well.

“I think we will be successful at home as we have been one of the hottest teams at home – it’s a huge weekend so the guys are going to get up for it.

“I thought we were a bit better defensively last Sunday and hopefully we can take that into this weekend and be a lot better.

“Offensively, I thought that the third period against Edinburgh was something we can build on.

“If we play our brand of hockey, if we do what we do well, which is using our speed, driving the net and being steady defensively with good goaltending, we will be successful.

“Staying disciplined is key. They are a team that wants to play that physical game, so our special teams have to be better than ever.”

Talking about the two large crowds that are expected over the weekend, Pacha added: “Guys feed off of that, so if there are more people in the stands, the players will feed off of that.

“Hopefully they come in numbers.

“We would expect a huge crowd on Sunday because of our recent success and the importance of the game.”

Stars will be without Emerson Hrynyk, Riley Stadel and Johan Andersson as the trio recover from injuries.

However, on the plus side January signing Lukas Lundvald has racked up four goals and a single assist in Stars’ last five games and Marc-Olivier Mimar has also been putting up the points in the last few games as he has accumulated three assists and a powerplay goal.

Tonight’s game faces-off at 7pm and tickets are available from the Braehead Clan website.

Tomorrow’s second instalment begins at 5pm and tickets are available from the Stars website and the Dundee Ice Arena box office.

Picture: Derek Black. Lukas Lundvald: has scored four goals and an assist in the last five games.