FIFE Flyers coach Todd Dutiaume believes the loss of his Grand Slam winning captain in the summer has helped to galvanise his team.
John Haig left Fife for Dundee Stars in the summer — a move which many viewed as the start of a Dundee revival in a league dominated by the men from Kirkcaldy.
But in the second meeting of the teams at Fife Ice Arena on Saturday Flyers ran out 7-2 w
inners, claiming two NPL points with a display of team spirit that Stars simply couldn't match.
The earlier SPHL fixture at Dundee Ice Arena also went Flyers way and on the eve of the third clash, this time in the Scottish Cup, Dutiaume hailed Steven King, Haig's successor as Fife captain.
He said: "I spoke to Steven in the summer and he wasn't sure how the guys would respond to him as new captain.
"The answer to that question — it's been unbelievable.
"The guys recognise that they have a leader who leads by example and it's great to be able to sit back in the dressing room and know that the guys respect him.
"You can't put too much stock in any one guy because hockey is a team game. Everybody is working together and losing players to our rivals has definitely galvanised us."
Stars visit Fife Ice Arena again on Saturday in the Scottish Cup, although the tie will not be settled until the second leg in Dundee later in the month.
Dutiaume plans to make no changes to the game plan that worked wonders last weekend but does welcome back the experience of Derek King into defence.
- To read the full story pick up your copy of the Fife Free Press- now on sale first thing every Thursday morning.
