Stars keep Cup hopes alive with big win

Photo: Flyers Images

Dundee Stars kept their chances of reaching the next stage of the Challenge Cup alive with a big win over local rivals Fife, all-but eliminating the Flyers from the competition in the process.

Jonathan McBean ended the game with two goals and an assist for the Stars. "It's good to get four points again, it moves us up the standings and gives us a good chance in the cup," said the 21-year-old Scottish forward after the game.

"I think everyone is starting to buy in more and doing the things that we've been told to do, putting pucks in behind and getting to work, and we're getting the rewards for it."

Dundee led by one after the opening 20 minutes at Fife Ice Arena, but could have found themselves behind early – the post coming to Jarrett Fiske’s rescue as well as the Stars goalie pulling off a good stop to keep the game scoreless.

Jonathan McBean was in the right place to fire home from the slot and get the game’s first goal with 6:59 played, while Alex Tonge doubled that advantage at 12:38. Phelix Martineau pulled one back for the flyers on the powerplay 4:38 before the end of the period.

Period two turned into a bit of a track meet, and was a disaster for the home side. McBean again found himself very much Johnny on the spot with a rebound past Shane Owen 6:22 into the second to make it 3-1, while Elmer beat Owen at the second attempt under five minutes later to make it 4-1.

"The result is the main thing and we got that, but it's good to score two, especially against a rival team like that. It's always nice to beat Fife, we had great travelling support and it's nice for the fans to see a result like that too."

Ryan Foss capitalised on a bad turnover by the Stars on a breakout to bring the score back to 2-4 at 34:01, but the Stars went on to run in three more before the period was over. Brendan Harms' smart pass found Zach Tsekos in to tap home 33 seconds later, while only 12 seconds after that Brett Gravelle made it 6-2. Tsekos finished a give and go with Elmer at 37:46 to round off the period's scoring.

The final period was a much less intense affair. Although the Flyers had the better of the chances, the game was long gone and there were no more goals by the final buzzer.