After a long 19 weeks since the Dundee Stars last played their rivals the Fife Flyers they are set to face off this weekend in a set of friendly games to prepare both squads for the season ahead. Both teams have made big signings this offseason whether it’s the shock move by Ben O’Connor from Guildford Flames to Dundee Stars or Martin Latál returning to the EIHL but this time with the Fife Flyers therefore fans should expect a close back to back tough game.
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It was Sunday 7th April 2024 which we last saw both the Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers faceoff against each other in a not so tight game. Dundee Stars dominated the offensive side of the game in the first period however, when the Fife Flyers saw an opportunity they took it. Both teams would record double digit shots in the 1st with Dundee scoring and coming out on top for the 1st with 20 shots and a goal scored by Ryan Valentini and assisted by both Spencer Naas and Brendan Harms in the 2nd minute of the game.
Fife Flyers would come out guns blazing in the 2nd period dominating both ends of the ice for the period however despite another 17 shots on goal (on top of 13 from the 1st period) they failed to beat Lucas Brine an upcoming goalie in British professional ice hockey. Despite all efforts to defend and dominate the 2nd period the Fife Flyers couldn’t stop the counter attack of the Dundee Stars as they put another two past Shane Owen. The period ended with Flyers having 17 shots on goal and no goals to show for it and the Stars having 13 shots on goal and another two goals to show for it. These goals were scored by Anthony Rinaldi.
It was all or nothing for the Fife Flyers in the 3rd period, they either find a way to get 3 or more goals or lose their final showdown with the Dundee Stars. It was a tightly contested 3rd period with both teams going back and forth, Flyers seemed determined to make the comeback and the start to it was in the 6th minute of the period which saw Troy Lajuenesse beat Lucas Brine through five hole on a penalty shot, the penalty shot was awarded after a scrum around the net but it was deemed to be penalty shot as Lucas Brine through his stick to stop the puck from going in. Despite this goal Flyers never saw much more dominance as they struggled to beat the Stars defense. Coolen decided to pull Shane Owen for an empty net however, this saw a goal from Brendan Harms to seal the deal.
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Despite their last meeting resulting in a dominant performance from the Dundee Stars, fans should not expect that to happen in these two friendly games between the clubs. Fife Flyers look stronger than ever after their overhaul over the offseason which saw only five players return these being Shane Owen, Brodie Kay, Fynn Page, Lucas Chiodo, and Drake Pilon, during this overhaul Tom Coolen the Fife Flyers head coach made not one but four jaw dropping signings which was the powerful team of four from Nomad Astana in Kazakhstan, the team which won the IIHF Continental Cup last season.
Although the Flyers look strong for the 24/25 season but so does the Dundee Stars a team which struggled for the better part of last season seeing them finish 7th with 51 points the same as their rivals the Fife Flyers. Marc Lefebrve the head coach of Dundee Stars made it his objective to build a bigger and better Dundee Stars roster and one of his first crucial signings was almost seen as a statement to the league which was the unexpected signing of Ben O’Connor from the Guildford Flames. The Stars have a strong import core which will match or even go above the Fife Flyers but the one thing they have over the Flyers is a solid British core to cover injuries once they hit.
Both teams are very evenly matched with Dundee Stars slightly taking the lead on paper however, it doesn’t matter what the paper says it matters who turns up when needed. These games will not be as friendly as the name present however, it will show the determination within the clubs, the physicality of each team as they both look to get the better edge. These will prove to be good games and fans across the league should look forward to them.
Last Edited: 22/08/24 - 16:23
Author: Calan Yule
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