New-look Fife Flyers suffered a second defeat in 24-hours when they were brushed aside 4-1 by Belfast Giants at The Fife Ice Arena in the Challenge Cup, just 24-hours after losing 3-1 to Glasgow Clan at Braehead.
It took the visitors only 1min 53 seconds to power ahead, Garrett McFadden supplying the finishing touch as the home side were caught cold.
Flyers failed to buckle and netted an equaliser after 29min 42sec through Ian Scheid with Josh Winquist setting it up.
The home fans celebrated, but not for long. Giants went ahead again when Ryan Smith converted at 30min 31sec and it was 3-1 after 32min 40sec when David Goodwin was set up by J J Piccinich.
The scorline stayed that way until 52min 48sec when Gabe Bast scored for 4-1 with Goodwin and Piccinich assisting.
Fife were heavily outshot ten to 36 in the game.
On Saturday, two first period goals inside six minutes put Glasgow Clan in the driving seat at Braehead.
Canadian centre ice, Brett Neumann, broke the deadlock after 12min 10sec and the 26-year-old followed up with a second after 17min 23sec.
Justin Ducharme was set up by Johan Porsberger to open Fife’s account after 26min 10sec but Cade Neilson scored the third to secure the points after 30min 23sec in a game in which Fife were outshot 29-22.
Jamie Russell, Fife’s head coach, thought his men had good opportunities at Braehead and did not take them. Had the chances gone in it would have been easier than “digging a hole and trying to claw yourself out”.
On Sunday, he admitted that injuries and a short bench had hit Fife hard. Basically, they ran out of “gas”.
Russell has until Tuesday to find a way as Fife travel to Dundee Stars (19.30) also in the Challenge Cup and the Tayside team come into the clash on a high after thrashing Glasgow Clan 6-2 at the Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday after a confidence-boosting 7-4 road win at Belfast Giants on Saturday.
PICTURE: Shane Owen who iced in his 350th game for Flyers when they were at Braehead on Saturday. By Fife Flyers Images
