Flyers blow as veteran Horne ruled out for season

KYLE HORNE looks to be counted out for the season for play-off chasing Fife Flyers.

The former Great Britain defenceman has been sidelined since January after suffering an undisclosed upper body injury.

It’s a big blow to the club who face a huge doubleheader this weekend against rivals Dundee Stars.

The f irst game is at Kirkcaldy on Saturday (7.15pm) with the return at Dundee on Sunday (6.30).

Fife could have all but secured a play-off spot had they not lost to Hull Stingrays at Kirkcaldy on Saturday.

Danny Stewart, Flyers’ associate player-coach, said: “Sunday’s 6-1 defeat at Dundee could have been good for us.

“It was a poor performance on Saturday when we lost at home to Hull. It was not just the mistakes it was the effort and we’re all accountable for that.”

Fife are involved in a four-way race for three play-off spots.

They have 44 points from 48 games, while Hull occupy the eighth and final play-off place having played 46 games and collected 43 points.

Edinburgh Capitals are ninth with 39 points from 46 fixtures while Coventry Blaze are sixth with 46 points from 47 starts.

Dundee are counted out with 30 points from 48 games in the 52-game season but Stewart said: “This weekend is huge for our fans.

“On the ice we now have a great rivalry with Braehead Clan but the fans get really up for our games against Dundee.

“Their result on Sunday (a 6-1 victory over Hull at Dundee Ice A rena) showed what a short-benched team can do if everybody buys in.

“We can’t afford to switch off this weekend. We need points and we must focus on what we’re doing, not what others are up to.”

On 34-year-old Horne, now in his 11th season with the club, Stewart said: “It looks as if he is done for the season but everybody else seems healthy going into the weekend.”