The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pacha ready to start as he bids to arrest Stars’ early season decline
Ice hockey: Coach to take place in line-up as Stars face Blaze
Dundee Stars’ under-pressure coach Omar Pacha will lace on his skates this weekend.
The Canadian-born playcaller comes into the line-up following a catalogue of injuries.
The former Manchester Storm and Hull Stingrays player-coach is no stranger to the Elite League. The 30-year-old played 193 games in British ice hockey. He has 24 goals and 60 assists for 84 points in his British ice hockey career after a spell with Chamonix in France.
The Tayside club, who are secondbottom of the 12-strong Elite League with three points from six games, face a double-header against Coventry Blaze.
The first game is in Coventry tomorrow, with the return in Dundee 24-hours later.
Stars bosses say the move is a shortterm strategy as the club look to get their roster back to full strength.
A roster revaluation sees experienced former Nottingham Panthers player Chris Lawrence promoted to player/ assistant coach. Lawrence recently underwent surgery on a leg injury and is not expected to return to duty until just before Christmas.
The Midlands club are on a high after two straight league wins and are fourth in the 12-strong table with eight points from eight games.
Pacha said: “Cameron (McGiffin) hurt his shoulder and will be out for a while.
“I’ve been thinking about coming into the squad and now is the perfect time.”
Former Nottingham Panthers star Chris Lawrence) has had surgery and is out until Christmas.
Pacha said: “He’s been helping out with training but this is a big opportunity for him. Hopefully, he runs with it.”
Meanwhile, Matt Nickerson was a cult hero when he featured for Fife Flyers. He played 86 games for the Kirkcaldy club over two seasons.
He now plays with Milton Keynes Lightning and lines up for them tonight (7.30pm).
Scots-born Peter Russell brings his Elite League newcomers to Rosslyn Street for the first time.
They are ninth in the table with six points – the same as Flyers, who have played four games. Milton Keynes have appeared in seven.