The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Devils need hold no fear for in-form Stars
ICE HOCKEY: Skipper Marquardt stresses that entire team must stay mentally strong
Dundee Stars have the chance to build on two important wins last week when they travel south to Cardiff for their first dance with the Devils of the new season.
The Stars face a long 13-hour bus ride to Wales and aim to continue their winning streak against the current Elite League Play-off champions, after beating them 3-1 in their last encounter.
Omar Pacha’s men go to the Viola Arena in good form after back-to-back wins last weekend as the Stars rounded off their group stage games with victories over their biggest rivals, Fife Flyers and the current cup holders, the Belfast Giants.
Meanwhile, the Devils have had a busy week after playing twice at the weekend, then travelling to Sweden on Monday for a Champions Hockey League tie with Frolunda Indians.
With both teams facing long travel, the Stars head coach said: “The last long trip we had was to Guildford and we didn’t do well.
“So we have to make sure we get the guys prepped and ready to go from the start.
“Cardiff are coming off of two games this weekend and were in Sweden on Tuesday for a CHL game.
“They are always a physical, hardworking and skilful team, so it is more in our control in terms of how we can contain their better players and how we play our game.
“They are going to have quite a few hours of hockey under them and it is going to be an opportunity for us but we need to have a good mindset and play our game.”
This fixture was originally scheduled for this Saturday but due to other events at Cardiff’s arena, it was brought forward – to Pacha’s delight.
He said: “It’s great – we were fortunate as the date had to change. It will give us one more practice before the game against Sheffield on Sunday.
“Hopefully, that will help us to play a good game but all I am looking for is consistency and for us to play the right way and then hopefully the results will start to come more often.”
Kevin Dufour remains Dundee’s dangerman as the Canadian forward bagged another three goals in the last two games and was named Elite League Player of the Month.
The Stars captain, Matt Marquardt, stressed how there can be no mental mistakes by Stars if they want to be successful in Cardiff.
He said: “They have played a lot big games in the Champions League already and they have done really well there.
“So, as a team we have to respect them but we also have to stay strong mentally against them and make sure we don’t have any mental lapses in our game.
“We have been playing really well lately and the only times other teams have capitalised, is when we have turned off mentally.”
Face-off is at 7.30pm.