Fife Flyers found themselves with a rare one game weekend last weekend, with the only game being against rivals Edinburgh Capitals at Fife Ice Arena on Saturday evening. The previous meeting saw Capitals come out 8-3 winners but both teams had to work harder this time round, but it saw Flyers come out with a point after a 3-2 overtime defeat.
Fife Flyers player/coach Todd Dutiaume was in a mixed mood about the defeat on Saturday night. “I was far more impressed with the level of performance we put in on Saturday night, but it is still hard to take yet another loss. We identified Edinburgh as a side that we must take points from because they will be one of the teams down at the bottom of the league with us, during our transitional 1st year.”
The game was the first time Flyers had outshot their opponents, outshooting Edinburgh 43 shots to 42. Despite such a high shots on goal tally, Dutiaume said his side still needed to make more improvements to their offensive game. “We started to generate more offense and we had 3 or 4 great scoring chances but we didn’t take our chances. We have to take our chances in this league, previously we didn’t have to be as clinical against our opponents during our time in the Northern League but playing in the Elite League we really need to bury those chances.”
With another loss Dutiaume confirmed that he is still pushing for fresh blood to be brought in to the club. “With all the CV’s we get in every week from player interesting in coming over to try out for the team, it is not just a case of bringing someone in just for the sake of it. We can’t afford to bring in the wrong guy just for the sake of bringing in another import. We need a good, steady and when I identify him I will put it to the directors and hopefully get their support. We are constantly monitoring players and trying to better this club up until the deadline day.”
On the injury front things are starting to look up. Netminder Garrett Zemlak has returned to on ice training, during his recovery period Garrett has been on top of his fitness with a regular daily fitness programme to keep him in shape. Garrett Zemlak is expected to return to the starting line up this weekend.
Kyle Horne has also returned to on-ice training this week but has been taking things a little easier after suffering a knee injury in the warm up against Edinburgh Capitals 2 weeks ago. Kyle also has been working on a daily fitness programme to keep his match fitness up to scratch.
Tommy Muir on the other hand is not expected to return this weekend after still having problems with his wrist injury. “Tommy’s wrist injury is still a concern; we are not going to push him back we must give him time to heal properly. Tommy is hating not being able to play at the weekends, he is desperate to get back out on the ice.”
Fife Flyers are on the road this weekend with Flyers visiting Braehead Clan on Saturday (7pm face-off) and visiting Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday (6pm face-off).
