Saturday night saw Fife Flyers suffer their 13th defeat of the season after the 6-1 loss at home to Hull Stingrays. The game saw Flyers lose 2 key personnel, Willie Nicolson after 5 minutes and new boy Toms Hartmanis in the 2nd period. Coach Todd Dutiaume was disappointed to lose new player Toms Hartmanis who had hugely impressed during the weeks training sessions.
“In training he [Toms] had looked exceptional all week, he is quick, dynamic and one of the fastest skaters I have ever seen. On Saturday he took the first period to settle in but it was apparent come the second period that he had found his stride and got used to the systems. Just before he was injured he was showing the reasons why we brought him in” Dutiaume said.
Toms Hartmanis left the game in the 2nd period after a stick to the face by young former Dundee Stars player Sam McCluskey, which caused much damage to Hartmanis eye. “Toms was at the hospital again on the Sunday after the game to get checked over by a specialist, there was a little damage to the eye but fortunately nothing major, we are just waiting on the swelling going down.” Dutiaume confirmed.
Young British skater Willie Nicolson was stretched off the ice after a check from young Hull Stingray player Bobby Chamberlain, who subsequently received a 5+Match penalty for boarding. “Willie is suffering from a really bad concussion and is also suffering from back and chest pain, I anticipate that he will be out for a little while”
Despite another defeat, Dutiaume is trying to remain positive and hopes to have news to announce soon regarding a new player coming in, but would not be drawn on any more details. “I am still looking at bringing in a guy or 2, and I hope to announce that something will be in place soon. However we know that bringing in one guy will not be the saving grace, we need to get our current roster performing every night.
“As for British players, there are not a lot available on the market at the moment, and I would never approach another player who is in a contract with another organisation, but if someone did become available or approached me then I would welcome discussions. I would welcome anything that would make this team stronger and more competitive.”
At the beginning of the season, Dutiaume had targeted being the top team in Scotland and still sees this is an achievable goal. “At present we are the bottom team in Scotland, the stats speak for themselves. I still believe it is a realistic goal, you just have to look at the situation in the Elite League last season. Edinburgh were in the top 5/6 in the league in December, but then by the end of the season they were rock bottom. Dundee on the other hand started really badly but they were the team that ended Cardiff Devils record run. This is a funny old game and anything can happen in this league. We still see our original goal as being achievable and with the addition of 1 or 2 more guys then there is definitely no reason why we can’t achieve it.”
Fife Flyers return to the ice on Saturday evening at Fife Ice Arena when they take on Dundee Stars in the Challenge Cup group A match up. Face-Off is 7:15pm
