Stars’ play-off lifeline after storming win

ice hockey: Flyers bounce back with giant-killing act over Belfast

Dundee Stars secured a play-off lifeline last night thanks to a 4-2 win over Manchester Storm.

Justin Faryna netted the all-important fourth for Marc Lefebvre’s side in the dying minutes of a tight clash at Dundee Ice Arena.

Brett Switzer had earlier caught Storm cold to net in 26 seconds and give the home side a perfect start.

Mikael Lidhammer made it 2-0 after 21 minutes and Kevin Bruijsten added a third on the power play 57 seconds later.

They held Storm at bay until an unassisted power-play strike from Connor Varley hit their net in 35 minutes.

Jack Prince scored a second with 13 seconds left of the second session.

The scoreline didn’t change until Faryna scored on an empty net with 66 seconds left on the clock.

Meanwhile, inconsistent Fife Flyers bounced back from their disappointing 7-3 defeat at Manchester Storm to whip Elite League pace-setters Belfast Giants 9-5 at Kirkcaldy last night.

Ryan Dingle, Brendan Brooks and Chase Schaber all netted doubles, with Philippe Paquet, Justin Fox and Russ Moyer all scoring singles.

It was ex-Braehead star Brooks who opened the scoring after three minutes, with David Rutherford replying 10 minutes later.

Flyers then hit three unanswered goals from Fox after 14 minutes, Schaber four minutes later and Dingle two minutes into the middle session.

Belfast then hit Fife with four straight goals, between the 32nd and 42nd minutes, from Michael Quesnele, Blair Riley, Glasgow-born Colin Shields and Riley again.

Back came Fife to claim five goals without reply from Dingle after 44 minutes, Paquet two minutes later, Brooks after 48 minutes, Moyer on 57 and Schaber a minute after that

Ryan Dingle, Philippe Paquet and Mathew Sisca all scored for Fife in Saturday’s defeat.

Braehead Clan had a 4-2 victory over Coventry Blaze.

Dundee Tigers defenceman Ian Carstairs praised the squad despite a 3-1 defeat at title-chasing Aberdeen Lynx.

Callum Turnbull netted the consolation goal for Tigers.

Carstairs said: “Everybody gave 100%. At one point we only had two recognised defencemen available but we were right in the game to the end and probably deserved to take something from it.

“We can take great hope from the performance.”

Picture: Derek Black. Brett Switzer gave Stars a perfect start in their win over Manchester Storm.

Ryan Dingle netted a double in Fife Flyers’ impressive win over Belfast Giants.