Saturday 27 September 2014

Flyers Weekend Update 27/09/2014

Gameday at the Fife Ice Arena with the Braehead Clan heading along the M8 for a Challenge Cup game. The Clan have had a good start to the season showing their mettle against the Belfast Giants, but the Flyers have shown signs of their strong home form returning with the performances against Sheffield and Dundee.

Matt Elder of the Fife Free Press gave a preview of the game, the rivalry between the two clubs has really ramped up last season with Ryan Finnerty accusing the Flyers of having a "lack of respect" after the Premier Sports televised game last December and the games since then have certainly had an edge. This rivalry culminated in two all or nothing games for the Flyers on the final weekend of the season that catapulted them in to the Playoffs. Firstly, a shootout win at Braehead:

And then a 4-1 victory at the Fife Ice Arena:

They called it #SelloutSaturday and #SelloutSunday and with over 3500 fans at both games it was a remarkable weekend for Scottish ice hockey.

Flyers TV caught up with Todd Dutiaume with the game preview:

Dutes confirmed that the injured trio of Matt Reber, Kyle Horne and Chris Wands will all miss this weekends game. The loss of Reber for another crucial game is a massive loss, his pace breaks teams open and this is often the key to get the best out of Ned Lukacevic. Both Lukacevic and new addition Scott Fleming have 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) once Reber returns expect these numbers to dramatically increase. Wands and Horne missing means that the remaining 5 defencemen must be on their A-game, there can't be any off shifts.

Lukacevic also took the time to speak with Eklipse Radio's Behind the Glass show:


Ned make some interesting the points, the main one being that the confidence in the room is high and they aim to improve their consistency.

Tonight's game will be the first time that fan favourite Derek Roehl returns. A key part of the second line with Lukacevic and Reber last season, he will looking to prove that the Flyers made the wrong decision. A challenge that Derek is looking forward to:


I'm sure Flyers fans wish him all the best, but if there is no arrow slinging tonight that would be great!

One player that won't be playing for the Clan tonight is the FIA's Pantomime Villain, Chris Frank. Frank was assessed a 4 game ban by the department of player safety:

The Emmerson ban aside the league has done a great job explaining and rationalising their decisions, whether you agree with these decisions will always be up for debate. Craig Anderson also talks at length about the Department of Player Safety offering great insite. Citing the interview with Steelers owner and EIHL Chairman, Tony Smith, with Seth Bennett:


Great discussion in both interviews.

On a lighter note it was Kyle Haines' birthday this week:




I hope that the Flyers get him a bigger cake or else we may have a Yaya Toure situation on our hands.

For updates on tonight's game follow @mattelder_ffp, @fifefreepressed and @hockeylaura

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