Stars Clinch Final Playoff Spot

Photo: Derek Black

A strong first period in Dundee saw the Stars' take a 3-0 lead, as they look to overtake Manchester in the standings and clinch the last available playoff spot. 

Philippe Sanche opened the scoring at 03:09, redirecting a shot from the point by Kyle Pouncy past Janis Voris. A video review initiated by the referees checked for a potential high stick, however it was determined to be a good goal and the Stars' took a 1-0 lead. 

A four minute high sticking penalty against the Flyers gave Dundee the first power play of the evening, which Drydn Dow converted on to double the Stars’ lead by firing a shot past Voris at 11:10. A second review, this time initiated by the Flyers to check for goaltender interference, once again proved unsuccessful for the visitors, as the referees deemed it to be a good goal. 

Craig Moore found the back of the net for his third goal of the regular season at 16:25, giving Dundee a 3-0 lead after picking a pass up in the offensive zone and beating Voris. 

An early powerplay opportunity in the second period gave the Stars' a chance to score their fourth goal of the evening, with Kameron Kielly doing just that at 24:17. A shot from Cole MacDonald was initially saved by Voris, however Kielly was first to the rebound and tapped the puck into the Flyers net to make it 4-0. 

Massimo Carozza got Fife on the board late in the third, redirecting Kieran Craig's shot on the doorstep past Jarrett Fiske at 38:20 to make it 4-1 heading into the third. 

Fife battled hard in the third, matching the pace of Dundee and forcing Jarrett Fiske to make a number of key saves throughout. A too many men called against the home side provided Fife with a prime opportunity to half the goal deficit.

Despite this, a solid penalty kill by the Stars allowed Zach Tsekos to breakaway short handed. Although he was tripped in the offensive zone, Brendan Harms managed to pick up the loose puck and slide it into the Fife net at 52:54 to make it 5-1.

A sixth goal from Xavier Poliout at 58:41 solidified the victory for Dundee, securing them eighth place on the league standings and the final playoff spot.