Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
ROUND-UP Superb Stars show steel to claim points
DUNDEE CCS Stars took three points from their two home games this weekend against two of the title favourites.
On Saturday, they lost in a penalty shootout against league leaders Cardiff Devils.
They followed that with an outstanding performance to defeat Sheffield Steelers 4-0 last night.
Stars made a bright start but found the Steelers defence stubborn.
In nine minutes, Craig Cescon was awarded two minutes for tripping, leaving the visitors on a powerplay. However, Sheffield failed to take advantage and the first period ended goalless.
Cescon took his second penalty when he was penalised for holding in 28 minutes but, as in the first period, Sheffield failed to cash in.
With just under five minutes till the end of the second stanza, Stars got their first powerplay of the game when Ben O’Connor sat out two minutes for tripping and Kevin Hart netted to put Dundee ahead.
Both teams finished the period with a four on four when Stars’ Poulin and Steelers’ Roy each sat out two minutes for holding.
Stars were awarded a penalty shot with just over one minute gone of the restart when Brett Switzer was impeded and the same player stepped up to put Stars 2-0 up.
Sheffield’s David Phillips was given two minutes for tripping and, on the resultant powerplay, Vinny Scarsella netted to put Stars 3-0 ahead.
Just t wo minutes later Scarsella added his second. It was Stars’ fourth goal and their lead was fully deserved.
With three minutes left, Stars’ Craig Moore was awarded two minutes f or tripping and, i mmediately after, coach LeFebvre called a time-out. Stars saw out Steelers’ powerplay and held out for a deserved 4-0 win.
On Saturday, both teams created chances in an entertaining first period but defences came out on top.
Devils did have a powerplay chance in 12 minutes when Stars’ Justin Faryna was given two minutes for slashing. However, the home defence held firm.
Stars opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Felix Poulin netted.
Cardiff responded in the 28th minute with a well-timed shot from Guillaumme Doucet.
The visitors then took the lead when David Brine netted.
However, Stars reacted well to going behind and levelled the match when Joey Sides scored with two minutes left in the second stanza.
Poulin added his second in 50 minutes to give Stars a 3-2 lead. Two minutes later, Kevin Bruijsten made it 4-2.
Cardiff went on the powerplay when Matt White took a two minute penalty. They took advantage of the extra man when Layne Ulmer scored.
Devils withdrew their netminder, Thomas Muddy, in favour of the extra skater. It paid off when Doucet scored his second to tie it at 4-4 and send the game into overtime.
Jake Morissette scored the winning penalty shot to give Devils a 5-4 win.
Stars coach Marc LeFebvre said: “After the disappointing performances against Fife last weekend, we needed to pick ourselves up and that’s just what we did.
“I was very critical of the guys and we sat down this week and had a discussion where I pointed out what I wanted from them.
“They certainly bought into what was said and they deserve a huge amount of credit for that.
“We committed during both games and my team proved to themselves they can beat anyone in this league.
“We played the best two teams in the league and pushed them to the limit.”