Manchester road trip sparks four games in eight days for Fife Flyers
Fife Flyers have embarked on a tough schedule of four games in eight days.
The glut of Elite League action sees two road trips to Manchester and back to back games against Glasgow Clan, with coach Tim Wallace eager to keep the momentum going by taking a clutch of points.
Flyers went down 4-3 in sudden death to Cardiff Devils on Sunday, taking a point for the draw in regulation time. The fact it felt like a loss underlines how far the team has come under Wallace’s guidance this season.
On Wednesday (November 11) Flyers headed down the M6 to take on Manchester Storm in their new home at Manchester Arena for the first time - and they are back there again on Thursday 19th.
Sandwiched in between is a double header with Glasgow Clan, with the teams meeting at Braehead on Friday, and Fife Ice Arena on Saturday.
Clan took the honours with a 6-3 win in a dead rubber encounter which rounded off the Challenge Cup qualifying campaign.
Wallace hopes to have one of his injured players back on the ice this weekend.
Defenceman Joona Vainio took part in the warm-up on Sunday but didn’t lace up, but he could be set for a return after missing several weeks of action with a lower body injury. Netminder Dominik Groh is still working on his return from injury, along with GB forward Mason Alderson.
Wallace said: “It’s one day at a time, but they are all working very hard and are eager to get back into the line-up. It is tough being out, but they are pushing themselves.”
The coach is looking forward to a batch of games which will give him a good indication of how his roster is shaping up this season.
“It’s a tough stretch for us,” he said.”Our focus is on Manchester first and then Glasgow. It will be fun going down to Manchester to a new arena - they are getting decent crowds and it will be a cool experience.
“Our job is to play our game to the level I know we can - do that we have a good chance to get points.”
Wallace added Scottish forward Lewis Young on a two-way agreement with Solway Sharks last week - and gave him immediate ice time in the road game at Braehead.
“He has potential and skill,” he said. “I thought he played well at Glasgow - we are lucky to have him.”
Netminder Jordan McLaughlin also gained additional ice time when he turned out for former club Hull Seahawks, and he may do so again this season as the opportunities arise.
“It is always good to play some minutes,” said Wallace. “It is good experience for Jordan - game time is important.”