Fife Flyers head for high-flying Cardiff Devils on Saturday (19.00) with confidence boosted following a 3-1 rod win at bottom club Nottingham Panthers, a victory which moved the Kirkcaldy club into eighth spot in the ten-strong table and into a play-off slot.
Now their task is to stay there and fixtures are running out. Fife now have 43 points from 47 outings and Dundee Stars move down to ninth spot with 42 points from 45 games. Panthers prop up the Elite League table with 39 points from 45 games.
Panthers had previously won three out of four against the Scots this season, including both meetings at the Motorpoint Arerna, the last of which was decided in overtime.
And both squads came into the key clash having won their last game with Fife having collected six points from their last ten on offer.
But it was the home side who struck first, Otto Nieminen slotting after 3min 03sec only for Fife to storm back 37 seconds later through unmarked Kevin Wehrs with Collin Shirley and Teemu Pulkkinen assisting.
And the visitors moved 2-1 ahead after 14min 17sec through a Troy Lajeunesse deflection with Kyle Osterberg and Johas Emmerdahl involved in the move.
The scoreline stayed that way until 57min 27sec when Shirley was set up by Lajeunesse for the game-winner scored from a tight angle.
Panthers withdrew their netminder Rob Stojanovic to have six skaters but the gamble failed and Fife went home happy despite being outshot 38-15 in a scrappy game.
PICTURE: A skirmish on the boards as Nottingham host Fife earlier this month. Picture courtesy of the Elite League
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