Stars must avoid shock of Milton Keynes Lightning in play-offs bid

Electrifying match promised as Dundee make trip south to Buckinghamshire

Dundee Stars face difficult opposition this weekend as they aim to climb back into Elite League play-off spots.

Omar Pacha’s men tackle a trip to Buckinghamshire today as they look to take two points on the road against Milton Keynes Lightning before playing host to Glasgow Clan tomorrow.

They have only won two of the five meetings between the sides this season but Milton Keynes are rooted to the foot of the table with just 26 points from 44 games – 18 behind Stars.

Dundee have again been boosted by another player retuning from injury. Last weekend captain Johan Andersson returned to the ice after three games out with a head injury.

Now winger Matt Bissonnette is expected to be in the line-up for the trip to Milton Keynes.

The former Manchester Storm and Belfast Giants winger has suffered three different injuries this campaign.

Both teams are on losing runs as Stars lost their last two matches but the Lightning have not won any of their last 10 games.

Despite having a full squad available, last weekend they went down in both their fixtures.

In their only game last weekend Stars were beaten 5-4 by the Guildford Flames.

Despite giving away a five-goal lead inside half an hour, Dundee brought it back to a one-goal game after a quick burst of goals in the third period.

Matt Marquardt, Fabrizio Ricci and Brian Hart (2) provided the goals for the Taysiders.

Stars forward Charles Corcoran insists the team will be ready for the challenge against the Lightning.

He said: “We have had very close and tough games with MK all year.

“Most of the games have either ended in overtime or end up being one goal games.

“They play a very fast and physical style and have great goaltending.

“We know how important these points are for us as a club and will be ready for the challenge.

“This is a team that has given us close games in the past and we expect nothing different.

“All week we have been preaching getting to the dirty areas and sticking with pucks and we will be well prepared for the test.”

Over the last seven games, Corcoran and his linemates have produced 28 points.

“I think our line over the past four games has had good jump and has made a lot of plays.

“Each one of us brings a bit of a different aspect and I think we feed off each other really well.

“Both Hartsy (Brian Hart) and Mags (Matt Marquardt) make it incredibly easy on me to play my game and hopefully we can keep it going,” added Corcoran.

Tomorrow Stars welcome Glasgow Clan (f/o 5pm) and another win would be vital to their play-off push.

Glasgow sit in fourth place, eight points ahead of Dundee and they have soared up the standings because they have been playing all their games in hand.

Pacha’s men have gotten the better of Glasgow just once this season and it won’t be any easier this time round.

Face-off for today’s game is 7pm and tomorrow’s home game 5pm.