The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Revived Clan to be tough test for Stars
Dundee Stars will bid to continue their dominance over Scottish rivals Glasgow Clan in back-to-back games this weekend.
Eighth-placed Stars take on the Elite Ice Hockey League’s basement club in league action in Glasgow tonight before the return fixture in Dundee tomorrow.
Jeff Mason’s men go into the weekend off the back of last Saturday’s 4-2 home win against big rivals Fife Flyers as they claimed their third derby victory of the season.
Goals from Drydn Dow, Elijiah Barriga, Ian Parker and Philippe Sanche saw them to victory.
Dundee have also only lost once against their Scottish rivals this season – a 5-2 defeat at home to the Flyers means they are unbeaten away from home in three matches against Glasgow and Fife.
The Tayside team have not met Clan since September, when they won 4-3 and 3-1 in the Challenge Cup Group stages, with Ryan Verrier, Hugo Reinhardt (2), Barriga (2) and Colin Joe (2) all finding the net for Stars.
Clan have also changed coach with player-coach Stephen Dixon stepping up to lead the team in the interim – and the Canadian has improved results as his side snapped a five-game losing streak with consecutive wins last weekend.
Mason said: “They are obviously a team that is playing a lot better and they have made a lot of changes. They will be feeling good after a fourpoint weekend but our focus has to be on what we are doing and what makes us successful but also while being aware of what has changed since we played them last.
“For us, it is really all about playing within our structure and getting contributions from everyone, while making sure we start on time.
“So, essentially the things that make us successful no matter where we are or who we are playing against.”
He continued: “We are trying to build consistency as we have lacked it throughout the season and this would be a good weekend to start by adding to some good recent performances.
“We appreciate the short travel – it beats seven or eight hours on a bus and getting home really late – but at the same time we have to make sure we take advantage of that and take advantage of a good night’s sleep.
“The big thing for us is getting off to a good start and trying to play from the front because we are a much better team when we are playing with a lead than chasing a game.”
Face-off for tonight’s game in Glasgow is at 7.30 and tomorrow’s home match begins at 7pm.