Fife Flyers: thrilling win gives insight into bonds at heart of this new-look team

Twelve months ago, Dundee Stars came to Kirkcaldy and completed a double over Fife Flyers which saw their coach, Marc Lefebvre, stop mid ice and bow to all four corners of the rink.

On Sunday, it was Fife’s entire team which took to the ice after the final whistle to watch netminder Dominik Grohl’s post-game celebrations which culminate with a somersault on ice. They also tapped their sticks along to the chants of the fans, with Victor Bjorkung lapping it up, dancing on his skates. Stars were already in the dressing-room, presumably being berated by new coach Scott Dutertre.

It may only have been a pre-season friendly, but moments like that give you an insight into the spirit of a team that has been together for barely two weeks.

The win thrilled the fans and lit up the rink, but no-one is getting carried away. There is a long, tough road ahead as the puck drops on the 2026-27 EIHL campaign this weekend.

Tim Wallace, head coach, said: “We have to stay focussed, and can't get too cocky.”

That said he admitted Sunday’s win was fun to watch and be part of. It showcased a hard-working, tenacious, fast, quick thinking team which, crucially, skated as a team - one which didn’t just dump and chase, and stood up well physically.

The goals again came from across the bench, and that depth is crucial to any team which wants to make its mark in the league or Challenge Cup.

Micharl Drabek didn’t score at all last season with Slovakian outfit, HS Spissa Nova Ves, and netted just three times in 2024-25. On Sunday he scored twice, and was joined by six others on the scoresheet.

Kyle Watson had a sparkling game, while Evan Dougherty weighed in with three assists, and the best part of ten players registered points against a Stars side that simply couldn’t handle Fife’s pace or relentless attacking play.

This was as good a way as any of putting down a marker ahead of the teams’ Challenge Cup meeting in Tayside on Sunday.

For Flyers to prevail this season, they have to take points from teams like Dundee, who finished ninth last season, and also match up and find success against Glasgow Clan who come to Fife Ice Arena for the opening cup tie on Saturday.

They need to deliver against mid table sides such as Guildford Flames and Coventry Blaze on a regular basis - do that, and they can move away from the foot of the table they have occupied far too often and for far too long in the last two seasons.

Do that AND match up against the big four - which they can do, and have done - and suddenly your season starts to motor. The ‘art of the possible’ becomes a reality...

If the team of 2025-26 was, and certainly should have been, better than the tenth place that it delivered - an outcome significantly impacted by the woeful decision making of the ownership which thankfully now seems to be over its fixation with bringing over exNHLers - could this new look squad fashioned make that breakthrough?

Two weeks in, and the coach has moulded a host of new faces into a team - one that has gelled very quickly. Those bonds forged in training, in the room, and away from the rink, are crucial to meet the challenges which lie ahead.

Wallace is well aware he is only getting started, and will keep them grounded. There’s no meaningful silverware to be won in pre-season.

The Challenge Cup, however, is a good opening test; one Flyers have largely under-performed in across many seasons, save for one cup final visit to Belfast. If they can boss Dundee and get a firm grip on Clan then qualification for the knockout stages becomes a genuine prospect.

The opening weekend will be fun - two potentially rollicking games back to back which will set the tempo for the autumn months ahead.

Clan will bring a big travelling support to Kirkcaldy, while Flyers will cross the Tay in more than equal number the following night.

And if they witness games which fizz like Sunday’s 7-2 win, then this season will be huge fun to watch.

Kyle Watson summed it up: “If we play the exact same way against every other team, we will be there or thereabouts. We want to make this rink a tough place to come to – do that and the results will follow.”