Fife tough it out against Steelers and Devils

Fife Flyers should know how far they developed after this weekend’s testing Elite League double-header, insists assistant coach Jeff Hutchins.

He will be on the bench as Fife entertain play-off champions Sheffield Steelers tonight (7.15pm) before tackling defending league champs Cardiff Devils tomorrow (6.30pm).

The former GB international relishes the challenge after Fife’s 5-2 victory over Scottish rivals Braehead Clan last Sunday left them sixth in the table with 10 points from seven games.

Sheffield are second with 16 points from 13 starts and two points adrift of Manchester Storm who have played a game less.

Devils are eighth with 10 points from eight games – but Canadian-born Hutchins is focused on Sheffield.

He said: “We’ll focus on Cardiff after Saturday and we go into this weekend with a young, hungry side boasting a good work ethic.

“We have a lot of new guys so they don’t know about Sheffield or Cardiff which is fine.

“It means they will come to play and, hopefully, we can use our passionate fans to help us earn some valuable points.”

Hutchins said that his men has studied videos of Sheffield and have been working on special teams this week in training.

He added: “We’ll know where we are after we get through two tough games in which we can’t afford to make mistakes.”

Bottom club Edinburgh Capitals are away to Manchester Storm tonight.