Fife Flyers have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup after losing their first leg 4-2 against Sheffield Steelers in Kirkcaldy last night.
Two goals inside a minute inside the final session saw the visitors take a valuable lead into the second leg, which takes place in Sheffield next Wednesday.
Steelers took the lead after seven minutes as Guillaume Desbiens fired home a pass from former Edinburgh Capitals defenceman Ben O’Connor.
And Paul Thompson’s men went further ahead when Mathieu Roy found the net on 25 minutes.
But the stunned home fans did not have long to wait before their heroes claimed a foothold in the game, with American Michael Dorr opening their account four minutes later. Stephen Gunn then levelled the game shortly before the final break.
The home crowd were silenced by a quick one-two early in the final session.
Jeff Legue slotted the third after five minutes and only 57 seconds later the visitors were 4-2 ahead. Robert Dowd provided the pass for Levi Nelson to hit the rigging and give Sheffield a welcome two-goal cushion.
Dundee Stars play Cardiff Devils in the first leg of their Challenge Cup quarter-final at home tonight (7.30pm).
Stars coach Marc Lefebvre has called on fans to pack Dundee Ice Arena.
He said: “Cardiff are leading the league and are a quality side but this is one of the competitions I targeted at the start of the season. Our fans have been great all season and a big home support would be a massive boost to the guys.”