PREVIEW: Clan vs Fife Flyers THIS SATURDAY
NEXT HOME GAME: It’s one of the UK’s most fierce hockey rivalrys, Clan v Flyers at Braehead Arena THIS SATURDAY (7:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER or by calling 0844 499 1700.
Glasgow’s Braehead Clan will play hosts to bitter rivals the Fife Flyers in a huge Gardiner Conference match-up at the Braehead Arena this Saturday night. Clan will be looking for a vital two points as they hope to keep their #OperationPlayoff push on track.
The Flyers have got the better of their West Coast rivals, winning all of the previous five meetings so far this season. Todd Dutiaume’s men have been excellent in the Elite League this season, sitting in third and still with a chance of finish top of the pile.
Revenge and a rivalry win will be on the mind of John Tripp’s team, however, a win and two points for the Clan cause is most important of all on Saturday night. Our Match Night Live Reporter, David Marshall (@marshalldave38), looks at the players hoping to put the Clan to the sword.
Playing in his first year out of college, the 27-year-old Irish-Canadian was handed his pro debut by the Flyers and he has more than repaid the faith placed in him by Dutiaume. Heelis leads the Flyers on points with 44, with 13 goals and 31 assists. Here currently sits 11th in the point scoring charts, one point behind the Clan’s Brendan Brooks.
Heelis had a stellar college and junior career, the centre was a OHL Champion in 2011 with the Owen Sound Attack. He has proved to be a thorn in the side of the Clan, racking up 10 assists and two goals in the previous five games between the two sides.
Twenty-Five goals have ensured Bloodoff has quickly become a favourite in Kirkcaldy as the Flyers’ top goal scorer. He is also tied at the top of the league rankings with Marc-Oliver Vallerand of the Coventry Blaze who is also on 25 goals.
Playing his first season outside of North America, Bloodoff has been a shinning light in the Elite League. The 25 goals and 13 assists in the league were accompanied by 5 goals and 3 assists in the Challenge Cup. Much like his line partner Heelis, he had a distinguished junior career winning a WHL title in 2009 with the Kelwona Rockets. This lead to him being a 6th round pick for the Arizona Coyotes during the 2009 NHL Draft.
He has caused the Clan no end of misery this season. He scored four goals in the 7-1 demolition at the start of the season and the game-winner in the Overtime win on the 6th January. With 10 goals in total to his name against the Clan, he is certainly one to watch out for on Saturday night.
As impressive as the Flyers have been in an attacking sense, the man between the pipes has been every bit as important to the Fifer’s success. Another Flyer who has a decorated Junior and college career. Iles has a Gold u18 and a Bronze u20 World Junior Championship medals to his credit. He also has a plethora of all-star appearances and individual awards from his time playing in the NCAA.
Illes put up an impressive display when the sides last met inside the Braehead Arena, with the Flyers coming away 4-1 winners. With a GAA of 2.59 and SVV% .914, Illes is a certainly a hard man to get the puck past.
