The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Flyers took foot off gas, says coach
Todd Dutiaume said Fife Flyers’ home defeat by Guildford Flames was because his men took their foot off the gas.
The Canadian was keen to follow-up the club’s 5-1 thrashing of high-flying Belfast Giants with another confidenceboosting win. Instead, he was disappointed by a 4-3 reverse which he said was due to some “shoddy work”.
Flyers, who led the league earlier this term, now lie seventh with 20 points from 21 starts.
They are only two points ahead of Coventry Blaze who occupy the eighth and final playoff position, and the Midlands club have played a game less.
More worrying is that ninthplaced Manchester Storm are only three points adrift and have two games in hand.
The valuable road win moves Flames up to fifth. They are also on 20 points but from only 18 games.
Dutaiume said: “It was really disappointing. It takes the shine off from what could have been a really positive weekend for this club.
“I have been very complimentary of Guildford in the past. I know they are an incredibly skilled team.
“Obviously, we came out asleep at the start of the second period and in the space of a couple of minutes we were down two and they came up with another one.
“I will tell you right now that that is strictly taking the foot off the gas when you are in command of the game.”
Dundee Stars, meanwhile, prop up the rest with 15 points from 21 games. A confidencesapping 4-1 home loss to Belfast Giants left them pointless after two weekend games.
Stars lost 3-0 at Manchester Storm on Saturday.
Fast forward 24-hours later and Omar Pacha’s men were level at 1-1 after 11 minutes but Giants then netted three times to take the points.
The coach said his men had enjoyed a good week of practice.
Pacha added that it will be a hard week for the players and he said: “We have to get back at it.”
Fife Flyers are the visitors on Saturday (face-off 7pm) and Pacha said: “Next week is more important now. We should have done better (last weekend).”