The top two in SNL do battle on Sunday as reigning champions Kirkcaldy Kestrels face-off against Edinburgh Capitals SNL.
Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing results in their last games, with Kirkcaldy knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Paisley Pirates, while Edinburgh lost their unbeaten league record to North Ayrshire Wild.
Just one point separates the teams going into the weekend, although Edinburgh have two games in hand, so a win for the home team could blow the title race wide open.
Kirkcaldy forward Andy Finlay commented: “We’ve been inconsistent this year and that has resulted in some bad results.
“Edinburgh are a top team who have the luxury of a great academy that gives a core group of their players the opportunity to play at the highest level in British hockey.
“If we are to be in with a shout of retaining our title then we need to be at our best this weekend to take the two points.
Paisley are also in action on Sunday as they welcome Dundee Comets to Braehead Arena.
Despite a confidence-boosting 10-1 victory against Moray Typhoons in their last outing, Paisley Player/Coach Ian Turley is taking nothing for granted this weekend.
He said: “We rarely have anything other than a tough night against the Comets and I’m not expecting anything different this weekend.
“The league has opened up a little with Edinburgh unexpectedly dropping three points in their last two matches, and there’s a whole number of teams, ourselves and the Comets included, who are in there looking to put even more pressure on the favourites.
“Every match and every point is critical, so we need to do the business on Sunday night.
“I don’t remember the Comets ever coming to Braehead and not putting on a show, so we’ll really have to be firing on all cylinders if we’re to overcome them and go into the festive break with some momentum behind us.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday
North Ayrshire Wild v Aberdeen Lynx
Sunday
Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Edinburgh Capitals SNL
Paisley Pirates v Dundee Comets
(Image permission: Nadia Hodge Photography)
