Turley: Comets don’t scare us
Head coach says Pirates are ready for Sunday showdown
Paisley Pirates head coach Ian Turley reflected on another successful weekend as his side prepare for their toughest match of the season.
Dundee Comets are the team coming to town – but with the Pirates in good form Turley reckons his side have nothing to fear.
A 13-1 thumping of Kilmarnock Storm in the Pirates’ last outing has once again raised expectations for the Paisley side, with the coach insisting that the team is on course to put together an impressive run of form.
Turley told Express Sport: “We put together another hard working display against the Thunder, and we got the rewards which the hard work has produced so far this year.
“Sure, most folk were expecting us to win comfortably, and we did, but Adam Walker and I like to think that expectation is one which says that the Paisley Pirates are, and will continue to be, a hardworking side, and we both believe that when you work hard you will get the benefit of that effort in the form of good results.
“Once again, the goals are coming from all areas of the team, and not just one or two players, so that makes us a difficult proposition for most teams as marking one or two identified danger men is not going to work, as we’ve got plenty of other guys able to chip in for the team effort.”
But with a big clash with Comets on the horizon, Turley is adamant that his side will turn on the style yet again.
He added: “I know that we’ve had a lot of big home wins this year but I think I can promise fans that our game against Dundee Comets this Sunday, will be the veritable Christmas cracker.
“Our encounters against them have always been amongst the most entertaining fixtures of the season, and I would certainly be saying to supporters that if they pick and choose their home games, this is one that they don’t dare miss.
“The Comets are one of the form teams this season, like they usually are, and they’ll be fancying turning us over in our home rink.
“I’ll simply remind everyone that the Comets stopped us from picking up the treble last year, as while we won the SNL, they beat us in the final of both the Scottish Cup and the playoffs – when they were coached by Adam Walker.”
Braehead Clan captain Ville Hämäläinen, right, reckons tonight’s home game against the Guildford Flames can be the catalyst behind his side going on another unbeaten run following back-toback defeats.
Elite League newboys, Flames come to Braehead Arena at 7pm, with the Clan looking to bounce back following losses to Sheffield and Coventry last weekend.
“We are fully focused on this weekend and two tough games against Guildford and Cardiff”said the Finn.“We need to get back to winning ways and that starts this Saturday against Guildford.
“When you look at the league table we are only five points away from fifth place, so to begin climbing back up the ladder we need two points starting with Guildford.
“Guildford are a good hockey team and have been in good form recently. We need to ensure we bring our A game.” and £49.99 per year, which gives fans access to highlights and other content.
The move has been greeted with open arms by Consilium managing director, Paul McGrath, who said: “Consilium are absolutely delighted to augment our sponsorship with the club on the new Buddievision platform launched last week.
“We are honoured to sponsor Buddievision knowing that our fellow supporters are watching the fantastic coverage along with us.”
Saints’ commercial manager Campbell Kennedy added: “I would like to thank Paul for his continued support. Consilium have been great supporters of the club.”
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