PREVIEW: Clan vs Fife Flyers THIS SUNDAY
NEXT HOME GAME: After two straight home WINS against the Belfast Giants and Dundee Stars, can we make it three THIS SUNDAY when the Fife Flyers come to Braehead Arena (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out! Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.
It’s a massive rivalry match to start 2018 as Glasgow’s Braehead Clan host the Fife Flyers on Sunday night. The Clan will be hoping to keep up their recent good home form at Braehead Arena after victories over the Belfast Giants and Dundee Stars.
Flyers have been going strong in the league this season and could end up in second place, a point off the top spot, if they win all their games in hand. Todd Dutiaume’s men have won all three of the league meetings between the two sides this season. The Purple Army will be hoping that the fortunes are reversed and The Clan can pick up a valuable two points.
Our Match Night Live Reporter, David Marshall (@marshalldavid38) looks at some of the key men for the Fife Flyers:
It has been a fine first season for Gauthier in the Elite League. The 26-year-old Canadian is the Flyers’ top scorer in both goals and assists, tied on both occasions with Chase Schaber. Gauthier has, so far this season, notched up 30 points with 14 goals and 16 assists.
The versatile forward has been pointless in the last two games but is someone that the Clan defence will need to keep an eye on. Gauthier has three assists in his first three games against the Clan and will be looking for his first goal against John Tripp’s men on Sunday night.
Another of the Flyers debutant exports that has helped in their fine first half of the season. The 27-year-old Canadian born American has been a constant pillar in the Flyers’ defence. At 6”1 he stands as an intimidating figure on the ice, but he is a disciplined player only spending 22 minutes in the penalty box in his 26 games.
In an attacking sense, Young has a creditable nine goals and 13 assists to his name. He contributed one goal and one assist in the Flyers’ impressive 6-2 win over the Manchester Storm on Wednesday night.
The Flyers’ netminder signed in the summer from ECHL side the Elmira Jackals. Iles had a stellar and decorated college career with Cornell University where he achieved many MVP awards and all-star team appearances. The 26-year-old American has also represented his country at both U18 and U20 level.
Iles has impressed between the posts in Fife with a SV% of .914 and a GAA of 2.53, both of which are the fourth best stats in the league. Iles recorded a shutout in his very first game in the league, a 2-0 victory over the Coventry Blaze. Against the Clan, Iles has 1.33 GAA and 3 wins. Hopefully, Clan keep up their recent scoring at home and Iles stats against the Clan take a nose dive after Sunday night.
