Talking point

Play-off chasing Dundee Stars are now playing backs-to-the wall ice hockey with four crucial points at stake.

The fact that it is Fife Flyers who are on the opposite bench makes this weekend’s doubleheader even more crucial for Marc Lefebvre’s team.

Fife also view the match-up as important as Todd Dutiaume shoots for a top five slot at the end of the regular season.

Let the battle – and a rollercoaster of emotions – commence. weekend’s double-header against Fife.

Lefebvre is trying to lift his troops after the “massive” disappointment at being beaten at home by basement rivals Edinburgh Capitals on Wednesday.

He said: “We have to pick ourselves up for Saturday’s game at Fife and the return at Dundee on Sunday. Fife have a big game on Friday and that will be a tough 60 minutes and we must grind out a victory. Yes, it will be tough but we won there 4-3 after overtime in our last match there.”

Second-bottom Dundee have 32 points from 41 games and are chasing Coventry Blaze, who are one point ahead but have played a game more.

Dutiaume – whose men are sixth with 43 points from 41 games – acknowledged the challenge ahead and said: “This could be make or break for Dundee’s season and we can’t become complacent. They will be playing desperate hockey.”

Dundee Tigers entertain Scottish National League pace-setters Paisley Pirates tonight in their penultimate league fixture of the season.

Victory for the Pirates would see them crowned SNL champions but a win for the Tigers would open the door for Aberdeen Lynx or Dundee Comets to make a late push for honours.

ATHLETICS

Dunblane athlete Andrew Buchart has withdrawn from today’s Muller Indoor Games in Birmingham.

The Olympian was due to take part in the 5,000m alongside Mo Farah, who hopes to sign off with victory in what will be his indoor finale.

Dina Asher-Smith has also been ruled out of the Indoor Grand Prix after fracturing an ankle.

The 21-year-old sprinter, who won Olympic bronze as part of Britain’s 4x100 metres women’s relay team at Rio 2016, rolled her ankle in training on Thursday night.

The British 100m and 200m recordholder had been due to run in the 60m on Saturday but suffered injury in her final training session. Katarina JohnsonThompson has also pulled out with a minor hamstring strain.

Milnathort atlhete Laura Muir is aiming to break the world record in the women’s 1,000m.