Paisley Pirates travel to Kirkcaldy Kestrels for a Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday for a tie where many people will predict a home win.

Having recently lost in the league against Kirkcaldy, before being knocked out of the Autumn Cup at the semi-final stage by Edinburgh Capitals SNL, Paisley will be keen to bounce back this weekend.

Player/Coach Ian Turley said: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for us. We’ve had to go to probably the toughest two venues in the Scottish National League over the past fortnight.

“I’ve got to admit, if I was a Kirkcaldy player I’d be thinking that on paper the Kestrels were favourites to be in the draw for the semis.

“To use the old cliché games are decided on the ice and I’ve every confidence in our team’s ability to pull off what might be regarded as a shock in some places.

“We’ve had a difficult few weeks for sure, on and off the ice, but that’s what produces character and I’m looking for the Pirates to go to Fife and show our fans what we’ve got.

“I believe the last time the club won the Scottish Cup we won a very tight quarter-final at Kirkcaldy before the team went on to lift the trophy, so who’s to say history can’t repeat itself this time around?”

Aberdeen Lynx host Edinburgh in the league on Saturday looking to follow up last week’s win at home to Moray Typhoons.

The visitors are unbeaten so far this season and strong favourites to win the SNL, but Aberdeen boss Barry Carnegie believes his team are capable of springing a surprise.

“I’m pleased with the character shown by the players following the defeat the week before,” said Carnegie. “The Moray game was a potential banana skin which we did enough in the first two periods to avoid.

“We now look to Saturday and prepare to face the Capitals. As always, with the right attitude and focus we can cause problems for them.”

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday

Moray Typhoons v Dundee Tigers
North Ayrshire Wild v Kilmarnock Storm
Aberdeen Lynx v Edinburgh Capitals SNL

Sunday

Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Paisley Pirates (Cup)

(Image permission: Nadia Hodge Photography)