The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
ICE HOCKEY:
Dundee come from three down to beat Flyers on penalties
FIFE FLYERS 3 DUNDEE STARS 4 (AFTER PENALTIES)
Dundee Stars completed a memorable double victory over local rivals Fife Flyers thanks to a stunning comeback win at Kirkcaldy last night.
Todd Dutiaume’s Fife side had revenge in mind when they went 3-0 up inside the first period, having gone down 3-0 to Dundee 24 hours earlier.
But Stars fought back and levelled late in the third period to take the game into overtime before clinching it on penalty shots, with replacement netminder Craig Holland – who came on for the injured Pontus Sjögren – the hero when he blocked Evan Bloodoff’s effort.
That left Francois Bouchard to net the game-winner for Dundee.
Fife had raced into a 3-0 lead witin the first 16 minutes after strikes from Mike Cazzola, Ricards Birzins and Marcus Basara on the powerplay.
But Stars, buoyed by Saturday’s success, began to find form and hit back through Drydn Dow early in the second period.
Jordan Cownie made it 3-2 late in the third period and Matt Bissonnette was the hero when he levelled with an unassisted goal just 73 seconds later to take the game into overtime.
DUNDEE STARS 3 FIFE FLYERS 0
Stars ended their five-game losing streak with a win over their rivals on Saturday and at the same kept a clean sheet for the first time this season.
The hosts began impressively and took the lead when shorthanded after Matt Bissonnettewassenttothepenaltyboxfor unsportsmanlike behaviour in the eighth minute.
Stars captain Johan Andersson picked out the top left corner to beat Fife goaltender Shane Owen 60 seconds later.
Two minutes later Dundee went on the powerplay as Paul Crowder was boxed on a charging call – however the home side were not able to add a second goal.
It soon became a four-on-four situation when Drydn Dow was charged with interference in the 12th minute but both teams soon returned to full-strength.
Dundee had a better start to the second periodasashotfromKrisIngliswastipped by Brian Hart and that was enough to beat Owen in the 22nd minute.
Hart’s performance continued to impress as he tied-up a Flyer to win possession and ended Fife’s pressure in the Stars end following the goal.
Omar Pacha’s side had controlled the game and gave the Flyers nothing to work with and they did well to break-up any attacks from the visitors.
Stars were continuing to attack and outshoot Todd Dutiaume’s Kirkcaldy outfit when Matt Marquardt missed a good chance but his low shot was held by the Fife keeper.
Dundeetooka3-0leadwithapowerplay goal after Owen fumbled the puck and the loose rebound was poked home by Jordan Cownie.
Dundee were thereafter quite happy to see out the game and rest their legs for the return clash in Kirkcaldy.
Stars goaltender Pontus Sjögren was made to work for his shutout in the dying moments.
The Swede made one stop before the rebound landed on the stick of a Flyer but he dived down to his right post to keep it out.