FIFE Flyers won a league title in Whitley Bay on Sunday — despite playing 100 miles away and in a different competition.
Dundee Stars failure to beat Whitley Warriors meant that Fife can no longer be caught at the top of the Northern League, prompting celebrations on the team bus as Flyers travelled home from a Scottish Premier Hockey League victory in Dumfries.
Pla
yer-coach Todd Dutiaume hailed the achievement, but confessed that he wanted his team to clinch its first silverware of the season in style with a win in Blackburn on Saturday.
"It's a bit of an anti-climax," he said. "It was a different feeling winning a league title on the bus rather than on the ice.
"We were on the way home when I got a text saying we'd won the Northern League but nonetheless the guys have put in a tremendous effort and deserve it.
"One way or another, they will get a trophy presented to them on the ice."
The Northern League title win is Flyers third on the trot, but Dutiaume's side were pushed closer than ever by a Dundee Stars side that managed to spoil their 100 per cent record.
"It's been a definite slog for us this season," he said. "It makes it all the more worthwhile, rather than have something handed to you on a plate.
"Whatever success comes our way this season it will be well earned by the players."
Fife's season is far from over with a thrilling climax to the SPHL campaign expected with back-to-back matches against Stars followed by the potential league decider in Edinburgh on March 15.
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