Ice hockey – Pacha looks to newcomer Lukas

Danish newcomer Lukas Lundvald Nielsen arrived in Scotland earlier this week and has already made a big impression on and off the ice with Dundee Stars.

The 22-year-old was a catalyst for Dundee Stars in their 3-2 penalty shots success over Scottish rivals Braehead Clan on Wednesday.

That’s the view of player/coach Omar Pacha who praised the contribution of the young player who is anxious to succeed in the top tier of British ice hockey.

Pacha’s men host Edinburgh Capitals at The Dundee Ice Arena on Saturday (face-off 7pm) and he said the impact of the 5ft 9in newcomer was immediate.

He naturally hopes the dashing Dane can caus real problems for Edinburgh and said: “Having him (Lukas) skating hard and with a smile on his face and showing real energy gets moral up in the locker-room.

“He has a lot of speed and he was flying. He skated well in the game and we hope he jumps on the opportunity to produce here (in Dundee).”

Pacha added: “Lukas has fitted in well and is a youngster with high energy. He is happy to be here. He has a lot to learn, but he has made a great first impression.”

Cody Carlson, the former Braehead Clan defenceman, is due to arrive this week and the coach continued: “It was a gruelling seven days to find these two players.

“A lot of late nights, a lot of emails and phone calls. The timing was horrendous but I think we have the key pieces to the puzzle.”

He was pleased to continue the club’s recent home run of four wins and the victory sets Dundee up for this weekend’s double-header against bottom club Edinburgh.

Stars have the bit between their teeth and the coach wants to see the same commitment from his men who were 2-0 down to Clan on Wednesday but stuck to the game plan and prevailed 3-2 after penalty shots.

Goaltender Travis Fullerton, a former Edinburgh star, was again influential in penalty shots and Riley Stadel was key in the pressure situation, claiming two goals and Pacha said: “The game could have gone either way.

“We played well defensively, kept working and stuck to our game plan. It worked and tried to play three and four lines.

“That showed in the third period and this is a huge boost to confidence. We hope to build on this.”