Fife Flyers coach targets consistency ahead of league and cup weekend
Fife Flyers’ head coach is looking for consistency from his team as it heads into a weekend of cup and league action.
Jamie Russell saw his team post a thrilling penalty shoot out victory over Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup last Saturday, only to then go down 6-1 in the league opener at Manchester Storm 24 hours later. While happy with the compete levels and work ethic across the weekend, he wants his team to learn how to manage games at different venues, and find a consistent level of performance.
Flyers host Guildford Flames on Saturday before the long journey across the Irish Sea to take on Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup with key qualifying points up for grabs as the round robin group has opened up.
He won’t have forward Justin Ducharme in the line-up as the import continues his recovery from injury - he started skating this week, indicating his return to action is not far away.
Flyers have matched up well with Flames over the seasons, and need to win on home ice to keep their momentum going in front of their own fans. The English side have one just one of their seven Challenge Cup ties so far, but posted a confidence boosting 5-1 table league win over Glasgow Clan at the weekend.
Giants will also be out for revenge after seeing a good lead slip through their fingers in Kirkcaldy last week. They cruised to an 8-0 win the last time the teams met in Belfast, but Russell is looking for a very different outcome.
He said: “Belfast are a very good team and we rebounded well after two hard games against them - we were tighter in our defensive zone coverage and puck management.
“We played really well on Saturday, got a big, emotional win which the crowd loved. - but how do we handle that? We have to turn it round the next day on the road. The biggest challenge is doing it consistently.
“At Manchester I had no issue with our work ethic or compete - we were physical and made a good start to the first period, but chasing the game at 2-0 down we were trying to make plays in our end which led to turnovers. It’s a small ice pad but big teams, like ours, can do well there - it is part of the learning process of how we play in different venues. We have to understand what it takes to be successful.”
The coach was also delighted with the debut of 23-year old former Fife Falcons player Keegan Cairns who was added to the roster on a two-way deal after the release of Aiden Wilson.
Cairns brings a different background to the team, - he was a former figure skater in his younger days, and is also an MMA competitor - he has a heavyweight title fight coming up next week.Said Russell: “He played Sunday for 2:50 minutes and I was really impressed with how he approached the opportunity. He came in and was appreciative of the chance he has been offered.
“Keegan has size and his background as a figure skater means he has mobility. He brings something to the table which fits our style, and it is a great opportunity for a local guy - which is what we said we wanted to offer.
“Where it goes is up to Keegan. He has a lot to balance right now, and may not be in the line-up every night - we will take it week by week.”