Hawks ready to take flight against Fife

3:02pm Saturday 1st March 2008

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Blackburn Hawks welcome Northern League leaders Fife Flyers at home tonight...with a particular mission in mind.

Hawks' season maybe drawing to a close, after administrative rulings ended any hope of reaching the play-offs, but, in direct contrast Fife are leading in all competitions and can put the title out of reach to nearest rivals Dundee Stars by beating the Blackburn ice hockey aces.

"Our drive to achieve the best team possible has cost us dear," said general manager Konrad Tapp.

"We iced an ineligible player, not because we did not do our paperwork but because we were unaware he was already signed to two teams.

"This mistake was picked up very late and cost us a total of five games and any chance of play-offs in two of our three competitions.

"You live and learn and we will no doubt be extra careful with our pre-registration checks next season.

"On the positive side we can now enjoy these last few games free of pressure and the lads deserve that enjoyment after the number of games they've played.

"We have Ricci Hulme and Chris Arnone out on match bans at the moment, but apart from that no injuries or absences so we should be able to field a full squad and give everyone some ice time.

"While Fife are a very strong squad, capable of holding their own in higher level competition, we have always performed well against them and produced top class entertainment.

"In most encounters we see few penalties and lots of flowing hockey.

"There is no reason to suspect tonight will be different. We hope the fans will still make the trip to the igloo to cheer their team on in what should be a good match."