Goaltender Iles praised for bouncing back after Stars loss

FIFE FLYERS 2 COVENTRY BLAZE 0

Andy Iles was yesterday praised by Fife Flyers coach Todd Dutiaume after bouncing back to form.

The highly-rated goaltender was under real pressure in Saturday’s Elite League opener against in-form Coventry Blaze.

However, he came through the test with flying colours, helping the Kirkcaldy outfit open their account with a 2-0 win in front of 1,729 fans.

The 25-year-old American arrived with a big reputation after spells with several teams in the East Coast Hockey League.

Dutiaume believes Iles needed that game to get back on track after a disappointing defeat at Dundee Stars.

The Fife coach said: “Andy absorbed a lot of early pressure and in the second period he had to take a lot of heat but he came through and bounced back after last week.”

Dutiaume was also pleased for his team who upped their game from the disappointing defeat on Tayside to produce a performance he knew they were capable of.

They also stood up to some rough stuff from the Midlands side who have posted some good results in the early part of the season.

He said: “Danny (Stewart) will always put together an exceptional team. They had had some good results to date but we came out with the win.”

Both sides had injuries but Fife triumphed thanks to power play goals in the second and third periods.

Coventry totalled 42 sin bin minutes, with Danick Paquette logging 31 of them, and Fife 21.

Danick Gauthier broke the deadlock after 36 minutes after being set-up by Peter LeBlanc and Ian Young.

Liam Heelis netted the second after only 69 seconds of the final session after being set up by Young.

The victory sets up Fife nicely for their Challenge Cup clash on home ice against Dundee Stars this Saturday (face-off 7.15pm).

Todd Dutiaume praised Fife for getting back on track after Stars defeat.