Flyers lead Stars by a single point in the Northern League having played six games each, but the Kirkcaldy side trail their rivals by a point in the Celtic Cup, albeit with a game in hand.

Top spot in both competitions is up for grabs in what promises to be a thrilling weekend of ice hockey — but Dutiaume reckons whoever comes out on top will still have work to do to go on and win the titles.

"Usually these games have been league deciders, even in October, but you could argue that it doesn't matter what happens this weekend," Dutiaume told SportsPress.

"Every point is important because teams are dropping points all over the place. Both ourselves and Dundee still have to go back to Ireland, and Solway, Braehead and Whitley are now capable of taking us to the wire.

"This league looks set to go right down to the last weekend.

"It's not territory that everyone has been used to, but this is what we've been wanting. This is a good thing for the hockey fans."

Home advantage will go to Fife in the Celtic Cup clash on Saturday, while Stars will host the crucial Northern League encounter on Sunday.
Despite improved competition throughout the leagues, Dutiaume still sees Stars as his main title rivals.

"The gap between us and them is closing, and while it's a good thing for the league, it's a concern for us," he said.

"There are two very important points up for grabs in both leagues and both teams will view it as a must win. I'm sure we'll see the best of both teams this weekend. I'm looking forward to it and I'm sure the fans are."

Flyers now appear to be over their injury crisis after Steven Lynch and Jamie Wilson returned to action in Ireland at the weekend.

"To be at full strength feels like a luxury considering the way its been," Dutiaume said. "With a full squad, we can now look to go and do some damage."

Flyers lost their 100 per cent record in the Celtic Cup in Dundalk on Saturday losing to the Latvian Hawks, but Dutiaume refused to blame the long journey.

"We were there in plenty time and the players got a rest so that's not an excuse," he said. "We simply played ourselves out of the hockey game and I think the guys are starting to realise they can't do that.
"We can't just leave it to the last 10 minutes to get desperate."


New tournament
A NEW tournament has been introduced to the ice hockey season after Braehead Pirates, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Fife Flyers agreed to play each other in a round robin cup competition.

The competition, that will mainly involve midweek matches, will commence with immediate effect and each club will play a maximum of two imports. The teams will play each other once at home and once away from home with the top two teams competing in the final.

Edinburgh Capitals will ice their Elite League British players and will rotate their import signings during the tournament.