The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Flyers boss races against time to get trio in squad
Dutiaume is hoping they will be facing Germans
Todd Dutiaume says Fife Flyers are battling against time to get three of their players in from Australia for this weekend’s double-header challenge.
Brothers Tim and Paul Crowder, plus Dylan Quaile, have finished their season now over Down Under.
And Dutiaume has confirmed the club are working hard to get the trio in for the games against German Division Two side EV Landshut.
He said he is not in a position to confirm if they will be in on time for this weekend, but added: “The logistics of getting players over from Australia compared to North America are trickier.
“We are trying our best to get the guys in on time but, if that doesn’t happen, they will certainly be in on time for the first Challenge Cup games.”
Bavaria-based EV Landshut will present a stronger challenge than Danish side Herlev Eagles, who shared a series with Fife last weekend, losing the first game 4-3 after overtime but winning 5-4 after overtime in the second.
Dutiaume added: “Preparations have gone well and the guys are upbeat. They are getting to know each other.
“I am excited to take on a stronger challenge and see what the guys can do.”
Last weekend, he said, was pretty successful and he added: “We got a good look at the guy and got a good look at the young guys.
“We saw there were some conditioning issues, but that is to be accepted in the first week on the ice together. I am hoping to see an improvement weekend and more possession on the puck.”
The coach likes the size and mobility of his defence and added: “Our offensive firepower has never been in question.”
Fife have pinpointed three players to watch this weekend in the German squad.
Defenceman Josh McFadden iced in 51 regular season games for Sheffield Steelers last season and he has also played in the rough-tough American and East Coast hockey leagues in North America.
German-born forward Maximilian Forster has been Landshut’s top points scorer for the last two seasons.
Last year he collected 25 regular season goals and 37 assists and added a further 13 play-off goals and seven assists.
And 21-year-old netminder Patrick Berger, who has played under-age international hockey for Germany, hopes to build on last season, when he established himself as the side’s starting netminder.
Dundee Stars face their Scottish rivals Glasgow Clan in their two first competitive matches of the new season.
Omar Pacha will takes his side to the Braehead Arena tonight in the Challenge Cup, followed by the return tomorrow.