Stars and Flyers all square after first leg

Photo: Derek Black

It will be all to play for when Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers meet in Kirkcaldy in a week's time after the sides tied 4-4 at Dundee Ice Arena in their Viaplay Challenge Cup Quarter-Final first leg on Wednesday night.

The Flyers, who were down to just seven forwards, raced into a two-goal opening-period lead. Christian Hausinger shot through a screen to beat Anton Svensson on the powerplay just 2:28 into the game, with new signing Liam Blackburn doubling that lead 1-on-0 at 11:51. 

Johan Eriksson got the Stas on the board at 12:18, while 7:31 into period two a stretch pass from Ryan Verrier found Romans Semjonovs on the attack blue line, and he fed Philippe Sanche in the slot to sneak the puck through Shane Owen. 

The Flyers thought they'd scored soon after the game was tied up but Svensson somehow prevented the puck from crossing the line from close range, but Christian Hausinger did put the visitors back ahead when he followed up Zack Phillips' shot that hit the frame of the goal at 37:35. The Flyers' defenseman then completed his hat trick with 1:25 left in the period beating Svensson 1-on-0.

Sanche's powerplay goal 3:29 into period three brought the Stars back to within one again, and some six minutes later Colin joe's shot from the point was tipped in front of Owen by Mac Howlett to tie the scores. Both Svensson and Owen pulled off some excellent 1-on-0 saves to prevent either side from going ahead, and in the closing stages the hosts had a goal chalked off after Todd Dutiaume used a coach's challenge for Toms Rutkis interfering with Owen. 

The game ended 4-4 with Fife staying level despite running a very short bench, while the Stars will be pleased with a pair of two-goal comebacks.