Late blitz secures vital win for Stars

DUNDEE Stars produced a big third-period comeback to defeat Nottingham Panthers in style at Dundee Ice Arena last night.

Marc LeFebvre’s men pulled off a terrific 7-4 win with the two points sending them back into the Elite League play-off spots with eight games left to play.

The first goal came in 12 minutes as Brent Beaudoin’s deceiving effort finding the right corner after coming off the inside of the post.

Stars’ lead would not last long as Jonathan Paredes’ men hit back one minute later with a powerplay goal as Otto Nieminen tipped Alexander Lunsjo’s shot past Dundee keeper Lucas Brine.

Nieminen then made it 2-1 after latching on to a pass from Didrik Henbrant.

Just as it looked like Nottingham would hold on to their lead going into the first break, Dundee’s Elijah Vilio picked out Jake Elmer, who turned home the equaliser with 49 seconds left on the clock.

The second session saw Anthony Luciani restore the Panthers’ advantage inside 34 minutes, only for stars to make it 3-3 just 57 seconds later when Anthony Rinaldi buried his shot past Rok Stojanovic.

Nieminen sealed his hat-trick with a buzzerbeating goal at the end of the second period as the visitors went in front again.

But Stars produced a stirring comeback to take a 6-4 lead, scoring three times in three final-period minutes.

Josh Brittain tied the game on 44 minutes with a powerplay goal and, two minutes later, Ryan Valentini added his name to the scoresheet to put Dundee 5-4 ahead.

Then James Phelan shot high into the net to give the Stars a twogoal cushion and captain Drydn Dow sealed the crucial victory in the 58th minute when he latched onto a stray pass from the Nottingham defence to add a seventh goal.

Stars are in action again on Wednesday when they host Guildford Flames.