Mammoth taskforFife Flyersin Belfast

FIFE F LY E R S , sitting ninth and out of the play-off places, tonight travel to Belfast Giants, the runaway league pacesetters.

They could do with a favour from arch rivals Dundee Stars, who play the Cardiff Devils this weekend, as they bid to catch the Welshmen and claim a play-off spot.

Danny Stewart, Fife’s associate player/coach, said: “In the situation we are in, we need other teams to do us a favour and to do our job by winning hockey games.”

The Dundee Stars, meanwhile, rocked by a triple whammy, have acted quickly to bring in fresh talent.

Canadian defenceman James Isaacs jets in early today from North A merica and then flies direct to Cardiff to join his new team-mates against the in-form Devils.

He takes over from broken-ankle victim Tysen Dowzak, who will miss the rest of the season.

Stars are also seeking a replacement for forward Jerry Pollastrone, who is leaving the club to join Swedish team Mora in the A llsvenkan league.

Skipper Brock McPherson is also out indefinitely with an upper body injury.

Newcomer Isaacs hails from British Columbia and the 24-year-old played for Idaho Steelheads for 18 months before moving to Greenville Road Warriors for 12 games.

Hutchison added: “I want somebody at the back who is solid and helps stop the puck going into our net but James does have some offensive qualities.”

On Pollastrone, he said: “This is a big opportunity for Jerry and the club wouldn’t want him to miss out on advancing his career.

“He has agreed to stay with us for this weekend games.”