The numbers pre-game didn’t stack up for Fife Flyers against high-flying Sheffield Steelers. No wins in their last six meetings with the big-budget Yorkshire club having outscored Fife 32-8.
Furthermore, the overall home league record stands at played 34, won nine, lost 25. Fife have scored 82 goals in that stretch with Sheffield plundering 128.
Steelers arrived at Kirkcaldy as part of a three-game Scottish weekend. On Friday, they were at Braehead to meet Glasgow Clan and the Yorkshire side lost 5-3. They visit Dundee Stars on Sunday (17.00).
Coach Aaron Fox and his talented squad have high ambitions, but surrendering points is Scotland is not what he wanted.
Certainly, Steelers have slipped recently and Jamie Russell’s went into the game minus skipper Garet Hunt who is now on a six-game ban for a sucker punch on Dante Hannoun during the early minutes of Sunday’s home defeat by fifth-placed Manchester Storm.
Not the situation at Russell would have wished as he needs his top talent on the ice, but it is what it is and Fife produced despite injury concerns over 26-year-old, American-born, defenceman Jeremy Masela, an imposing figure at 6ft 5in.
Recent recruit, 41-year-old, Detroit-born, David Booth, a former National Hockey League forward, who has played over 500 games in the world’s top league was a doubt along with Canadian centre, 32-year-old, Josh Winquist.
Both made the line-up and Fife found a way. They won 7-4 with period scores of 3-1, 201 and 2-2, and they outshot Steelers 38-24 with Ethan Somoza netting a double.
It was a good night to win as the club held its first Kids Takeover. On the night, young fans helped the match night crew by taking a number of roles.
These included a mini Geordie Munro, the club’s mascot, an assistant announcer, junior photographer, post-game interviewer and puck drop presenter.
A youngster also presented the Man of the Match and helped in the shop as a merchandise assistant pre-game.
Saturday results: Guildford 2, Coventry 3 (overtime); Manchester 2, Cardiff 1; Belfast 4, Nottingham 1.
Sunday fixtures: Belfast v Manchester; Cardiff v Glasgow; Dundee v Sheffield (17.00); Nottingham v Fife (17.00)
BLUNTED: Goalmouth action as Sheffield Steelers skid to defeat at Kirkcaldy on Saturday. Picture by Jillian McFarlane courtesy of Elite League
