Fife Flyers boss Tim Wallace assesses encouraging start to Challenge Cup campaign

Wallace’s men lost in a shootout 4-3 after overtime v Glasgow Clan at home on Saturday before winning 4-1 at Dundee Stars on Sunday.

“It’s been a solid start,” Wallace said. “We played hard at home, the kingdom was bumping for us against the Clan who are a good team.

"Some guys were maybe not used to that pace and that skill level but we hung in there and could have got the two points.

"I was happy with the way the guys performed as the game went on.

"And then over in Dundee it was a good road game and wasn’t the prettiest. But we stuck to it, kept it simple and got the two points.

"It’s kind of a one day at a time job. One day you could be basking in sunlight and the next moment you never know.

"There are a lot of things to work on and improve on but the groundwork, work ethic and playing for the team has been there since day one. So that’s a very positive sign.”

In a summer of major change at Fife Ice Arena, Flyers have made 17 new signings as well as announcing several player departures, with Garet Hunt the sole returning import.

Wallace said: “It was not easy, right? It's a lot of watching hockey, a lot of conversations, a lot of background checks. It's a lot of work but that's part of the job.

"It's a lot of fun to put a team together and when you see the guys and the pieces seem to be working right now. It was kind of two months to put a team together.

“At my previous teams – Wallace used to coach Milton Keynes Lightning (in two spells) and Nottingham Panthers - I had a little bit more time, maybe four months.

"So it was challenging here in the sense that I had less time to put a team together, but other than that it's business as usual. We're three weeks in and I'm happy with where we've started.

"The kingdom is already starting to get rocking. They've been desperate for a hard-working team that competes and for these first three weeks we've shown that.

"I'm excited to see what we can bring with the fans and with the players together this year. I'm really looking forward to it. The potential in Fife is off the charts for sure.”

Flyers continue their Challenge Cup Group B fixtures this weekend, hosting Glasgow Clan again on Saturday from 7pm and then visiting early section leaders Belfast Giants on Sunday in a 5pm start.

Wallace said: “I think there's some systematic changes we’ll make against Clan and we may change some lines around or some personnel against certain players. But I don't think systems-wise we will change too much.

"It's just being aware when their top players are on the ice. They've got some skill, some guys who can put the puck in the net over there. Play a simple game, be aware when their high-end guys are on the ice and just get to work.

"On the road at Belfast, it'll be a challenge for us. A lot of our guys have never been to Belfast or seen the set-up over there but we've just got to stay calm and be fearless going into a situation like that.”