First win for Fife Flyers as trialist is released

Fife Flyers celebrate a goal in their pre-season game against Aalborg Pirates (Pic: Jillian McFarlane)

It came in game three of their 4Nations Competition which continues this weekend.

While pre-season is very much about giving everyone ice time, shaking the rust off the skates and seeing how the team gels, it’s also good to get that first win in the bag.

Flyers were beaten 2-1 by University of Manitoba Bisons thanks to a goal 16 seconds from the buzzer, which left them with little time to respond, and then went down 4-1 to Aalborg Pirates.

Fife Flyers v Aalborg Pirates - Mike Cazzola in action (Pic: Jillian McFarlane)

The visit of a second Danish side, in the shape of Odense Bulldogs, saw another good 60-minute workout for the team, and they could won with more room to spare than the scoreline suggests.

Flyers carved out a good number of chances, particularly in the first and third periods, with the line of Brett Bulmer, Evan Bloodoff and Mike Cazzola standing out,

Flyers built up a solid 2-0 lead and only conceded with 90 seconds left on the clock after Bulldogs had pulled their netminder for an extra skater in a bid to break the shut out.

Chase Schaber fired Fife ahead after nine minutes while Paul Crowder drilled home a fine shot from wide on the left as the powerplay unit delivered at 22:09.

Yannick Vedel bagged a rebound at 58:30 as Bulldogs gambled on the extra skater.

They pulled their netminder again but ran out of time.

Todd Dutiaume, head coach, was delighted to see get the first win out of the way.

“It’s always good to get the monkey of your back,’’ he said. “It’s good for confidence and morale.’’

The game was Flyers’ third in four days, and their pre-season continues with another home double header this weekend.

“We were up against a good skating team tonight, We played very well in the first period, had a lull in the second and came out energised in the third.’’ he added.

Flyers have released trialist, defenceman Ludwig Adamesen.

He hooked up with the club at its training camp, and figured in the opening exhibition games.

Dutiaume explained: “We have guys like Reece Cochrane and Chris Wands who deserve a spot. Reece is a young guy who needs to play to develop.

“We appreciate Ludwig’s efforts but we are moving on.’’

Flyers’ 4Nations Competition continues with German opposition this weekend – Crimmitschau visiting Fife Ice Arena on Saturday, and Tolzer Lowen on Sunday.