The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Season-defining’ game for side as Blaze visit Ice Arena
STARS: Head coach Omar Pacha getting geared up for team’s ‘great opportunity’
Dundee Stars have a chance to climb into the final play-off spot when they host Coventry Blaze tonight in their “season-defining game”.
The Stars have won three out of the five meetings between the two teams this season and the Blaze have never won in either of the two previous games in Tayside this year.
Dundee have conceded 17 goals to Danny Stewart’s side in this campaign but have netted 19 times. Only a single point separates 10th-placed Stars and Coventry who sit in ninth.
Omar Pacha’s men come into the midweek clash in good form after three solid displays on the road last weekend.
They defeated Glasgow Clan 5-1, lost 3-2 against Guildford Flames and then stole their second win from Nottingham this year.
Head coach Omar Pacha said: “It is a season-defining game. We put ourselves in a great position there to make this game meaningful, especially after the disastrous calls last week.
“Now we have put ourselves almost back to square one, so it is a great opportunity for us to get back in the mix of things and push for that play-off spot.
“At this point of the year, I am proud of the three games we played and Saturday was probably our best overall but we found a way to win on Friday with a great start and we did it again on Sunday and we have put ourselves in a great position.”
He added: “I think if we play like we did over the course of the weekend and we create more and more chances we will be fine.
“We had success against them this year but they are a different team from a month ago and they are hungry as well because they are competing for the same positioning. So, we have to make sure we are ready as ever and we will prepare as much as we can.”
Dundee defenceman Kris Inglis is confident that the good work from the weekend can carry over into the pivotal match of the season.
He said: “Last weekend was huge for our play-off push. Three road games in three days is never easy, especially when every team we played are in their own battles for league placement.
“Four points out of six was massive for us and it’s given us all a great push for Wednesday. It will be a battle and the boys are all excited for the challenge.
“Coventry are a good offensive team but I’m confident that if our defensive game continues to be solid then it’ll be a good night for us.”
Costly penalties have punished Stars of late but Inglis believes that good discipline is just one of the things Dundee will need to win.
He added: “It’s important we play really disciplined and continue to stick to our systems the way we did last weekend. We have to dictate the game early and play our style of game.
“The team’s morale is high so if we play strong defence, I am confident that the offensive chances will come and we will take them.”
Tonight’s game will face-off at
7.30pm.