‘Pinball hockey’ as Fife Flyers plan for Manchester Storm's small ice pad

Fife Flyers head to Manchester Storm’s small ice pad knowing they will have to battle for the 60 minutes to secure a repeat of their 6-5 win there in October.

A win would also keep a gap between the two teams - Flyers lead Storm by three points, but their English rivals, two places below them in the EIHL, have four games in hand.

Emmerdahl likened hockey nights in Altrincham to pinball: “It is such a different game down there. You have to make decisions much quicker because the ice pad is so small. You have to stay on your toes - anything can happen down there!

“We won on our last visit. We didn’t play our best but we found a way to get a result. It doesn’t matter if you are two goals up or down - you can score so quickly there.”

Emmerdahl said Fife were worth a share of the spoils against Blaze last Sunday, after defeat in Dundee, but added: “We need to find consistency across the 60 minutes.

“As long as we follow our systems, that’s how we win - and in tight games special teams are really crucial.

“If we can get on top of our game, we know we stand a very good chance of beating any team in this league. It isd very tight this season - it’s a fun league to play in.”

Sunday’s home game against Cardiff Devils is where recent signing Chris Gerrie jumped in, making his debut on a road trip which ended in a 7-4 loss - a result largely down to as 4-0 third period reversal.

The former Dundee Stars forward admitted: “I got thrown in the deep end. I didn’t know anyone on the team so the ten-hour coach trip was a good opportunity to chat with them for the first time and get to know them.

“They are a good group, and this is a skilled team, and a fast team. Our goal is to keep pushing fore the playt-offs.