The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Flyers look for‘bonus’lead
DA NNY STEWA RT, Fife Flyers’associate player/coach, would love to take any lead to Dundee for Sunday’s return leg of their ice hockey play-off double-header.
Fife are determined to be the first Scottish club to qualify for the final four at Nottingham onA pril 5 and 6 and they must overcome arch-rivals Dundee Stars to get there.
Fife are at home first tomorrow and the Canadian said: “A win at home is the key and if we can win by more than one (goal) then that will be a bonus.
“I fully expect it to be a tight battle between two good teams.
“The town is on a real buzz and so are the guys. Our crowd has been electric the last few weeks and has given us a boost.”
Doug Christiansen yesterday provided Stars fans with the news they wanted to hear when the A merican revealed that Dundee should have a full bench to pick from apart from crocked Rory Rawlyk.
The playcaller, who doubles as Great Britain’s head coach, declared: “I’ve just come out of Sheffield and their rivalry with Nottingham. I’ve also been involved with Belfast and their match-ups but the rivalry here between Dundee and Fife is tangible.
“This has all the makings of a great play-off series and it is a huge game for both clubs.”
He added: “Fife are a great hockey team. They work extremely hard and do a good job moving the puck into the offensive zone.
“We must stay focused and work hard and there is no question that the guys need to step up for this.”
Meanwhile, Stars netminder Dan Bakala has been voted Ice Hockey Journalists UK (IHJUK) Player of theYear and named in their Elite League A first team.
Rory Rawlyk and Sam McCluskey were named in their Elite League A ll-Star second team.
McCluskey was also awarded the A lan Weeks Trophy as best British defenceman and defenceman Paul Swindlehurst was
ll-Star awarded the Vic Batchelder Memorial A ward as their young player of the year.
Neil Trimm netted a double last night as Braehead Clan eased to a shock 4-0 first-leg lead in the Elite League play-off quarter-finals. Skipper A sh Goldie and Joel Champagne also counted as the Scots tamed Nottingham Panthers.