Flyers’ play-off hero insists all pressure is on Elite League champions

Ice hockey: Fife have nothing to fear against Cardiff, claims Finucci

Carlo Finucci was the Fife Flyers hero on Sunday night in Manchester as his two goals ensured a place at the Play-off Finals Weekend in Nottingham.

Finucci, 31, was on the opposite side last season as the Flyers failed to reach the final weekend, losing out to the Belfast Giants – but Finucci was determined it wouldn’t be two years in a row.

The native of Burnaby in Canada finished the regular season with a careerbest year, scoring 30 goals and 36 assists in 62 games – 20 points more than he had in his debut campaign with the Flyers last season.

Following his game-winning goal in Manchester, Finucci said: “Missing out last season was disappointing so it’s amazing to get the opportunity this year and reach another of our teams goals.

“I have heard it’s a wicked atmosphere down there so we are looking forward to soaking it all in and making the most of it.”

Following the first leg tie in Kirkcaldy on Saturday, Flyers trailed Ryan Finnerty’s side by 4-1, and to progress to the finals weekend, Finucci and his team-mates needed to win by four goals, or three goals to force the tie into overtime.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this group. Social media was full of people saying we blew it and what a disappointment Saturday was,” he said.

“We knew we still had three periods to play and the belief was always there in our dressing room. With every goal that belief got bigger and bigger and we ultimately came out on top.”

Flyers face Elite League champions, the Cardiff Devils in the Saturday afternoon game.

Despite the pressure that comes with the semi-final match-up Finucci believes the pressure will mostly be on the Devils.

“As a group our coaches will have us ready for Cardiff,” he said.

“It’s ultimately up to us players to go out there to get the job done and lay it all out on the line.

“Cardiff are the league champions and all the pressure is on them, we need to push them and play our game.”

“The play-off weekend is similar to the NCAA hockey national tournament where it’s single elimination and if you get hot at the right time anything can happen in a one-off.

“We are going to have to be even better than we were against Manchester.