Stars see off Fife to book play-off slot

DUNDEE Stars booked their place in the Elite Ice Hockey League play-offs with a 4-1 win in Kirkcaldy last night.

The victory over Fife Flyers means Stars will face Cardiff Devils in the quarter-finals.

Stars had an unchanged line-up after falling to Flyers in Dundee on Saturday, while Fife lost former Star Johan Eriksson from their squad.

Dundee took the lead just two minutes into the game after Spencer Naas broke down the ice and almost slipped the puck past Flyers goalie Shane Owen. The shot flew just wide but fell into the path of Ryan Valentini who slotted home.

Marc LeFebvre’s men could have easily racked up a bigger lead in the first period but, thanks to strong goalkeeping from Owen, Flyers remained only one goal behind at the first break.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the middle session and in the 25th minute

Anthony Rinaldi buried his shot into the top corner of Owen’s net.

Both sides had a powerplay as Drake Pilon then Dundee’s Brendan Harms took two-minute trips to the box for minor penalties but neither side could cash in on their man advantage.

Rinaldi hit a second goal on 36 minutes after he broke down the left wing. Instead of shooting he dinked the puck past Owen to make it 3-0 going into the third period.

Flyers did not make it easy for Stars and, on a powerplay, Troy Lajeunesse won a penalty shot for the Kirkcaldy team and converted it low past Lucas Brine

Stars did not let their lead slip and after Tom Coolen took off Owen for the extra attacker in the final moments, Harms hit the wide-open net from his own end to round off the victory.

LeFebvre’s men now take on Cardiff in a two-leg quarter-final next weekend.

Flyers are also in the play-offs after their 6-2 win in Dundee on Saturday. They face Sheffield Steelers in the quarter-finals.

GOAL ATTEMPT: Stars’ Brendan Harms tries to force home the puck in the clash with Fife Flyers at Dundee Ice Arena on Saturday.