Coolen’s concern ahead of key Challenge Cup clash

Fife Flyers’ head coach Tom Coolen anxiously awaits word from the medical staff ahead of Wednesday’s Challenge Cup, quarter-final, first-leg against Guildford Flames at Kirkcaldy (19.30).

His No 1 and No 2 top scorers and several defencemen are injured and that contributed to the club’s 2-0 defeat at Guildford Spectrum on Sunday, according to the coach.

Coolen was proud of the effort shown against Flames who he described as good team with good speed and it was Brett Ferguson’s two goals which made the difference.

The opener came after 13 minutes and the 33-year-old Canadian followed up with a second 24 seconds from the end of the middle session, both on the power play as Fife had men in the sin bin.

Fife have now lost their last three league games but Coolen felt his men could have scored had they received what he termed “puck luck” on the night.

Flames had 33 shots and Fife responded with 26 and the sides meet again in the first-leg of the Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Fife slip to ninth position in the ten-strong league with 14 points from 16 starts, only one point ahead of bottom club Coventry Blaze, but the Midlands combine have three games in hand.

Guildford are eighth also win 14 points and they have played 15 games.

PICTURE: Action from Guildford v Fife on Sunday by John Unwin and courtesy of the Elite League