Dundee Stars head coach in confident mood ahead of final derby

STARS: Head coach in confident mood ahead of ‘massive’ clash with Flyers

Dundee Stars are in control of their own destiny again thanks to a remarkable post-Christmas form turnaround, claims head coach Omar Pacha.

Stars were nine points adrift of the Elite League play-offs at Christmas after losing nine games in a row – but victory in a crucial Boxing Day battle against rivals Fife Flyers has sparked a real change in fortunes.

Pacha’s men have won 10 of their last 16 games – including 11 on the road – and scored 62 goals to lie just one point off a top-eight place.

Tomorrow Stars face Fife again with the players’ confidence at a season high.

It is also the club’s first #OperationSellOut of the campaign, as well as their charity night for The ARCHIE Foundation Tayside – the club’s charity partner for the season.

There are only 11 matches left in

Dundee’s regular season as they hit the home stretch with big matches to come against Fife, Glasgow Clan and Manchester Storm.

Pacha said: “We are playing well right now. Post-Christmas, we are 10-5-1 (wins-losses-overtime/shootout losses).

“We had some mixed results but since the festive period we seem to be clicking better offensively and have a better road record, which has been a big help.”

Beating the league pacesetters Sheffield Steelers away from home last week proved the Dundee side could beat any team in the league – and Pacha is confident that his side will make it to the post-season.

He added: “I am very confident now that we have put ourselves back in a good position and within close distance.

“Before Boxing Day we were nine points out of a play-off spot and now we are only one point behind seventh. We are in a position where we can control our own destiny, having made up a lot of ground.

“I think now we are playing the type of hockey that I thought we would be playing over the course of the season, but changes we made to the team at Christmas definitely had a positive impact as well.”

Stars moved two players out and two players in, with the moves seemingly rejuvenating the squad as it sent them on a winning streak to finish off 2019.

Forwards Matt Carter and Alex Schoenborn have boosted the Stars’ offensive output since their December arrival.

Former Nottingham Panthers star Carter has scored nine goals and claimed 10 assists in 18 appearances while Schoenborn contributed two goals before picking up an injury last month.

With the club predicting a large crowd for the important final derby, Pacha is hoping that more people will come along to support the team as they push for a sell-out.

The Canadian coach continued: “This game is #OperationSellOut and it’s massive.

“We want to pack the building and I am sure our fans will be happy that we have put ourselves in this position.

“We want to give back to them and we will have The ARCHIE Foundation at the game on Saturday night too, plus different events happening around the rink.

“The ARCHIE Foundation is a great charity and we are looking forward to raising awareness of them and their cause.

“It is going to be a great night and we want as many people to come along as possible and hopefully we can sell out the DIA and give the players an extra boost.”

Tomorrow’s game will face-off at 7pm. Tickets from Dundee Ice Arena box office or via the Stars website.

Picture: Kris Miller. Dundee Stars head coach Omar Pacha is confident his team can make the play-offs.