NEWS: Finnerty set for new Fife test in season opener

NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan take on Fife Flyers in the first competitive game of the new season THIS SUNDAY (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

 

intu Braehead Clan head coach Ryan Finnerty admits the play-off loss to Fife Flyers at the end of last season is still fresh – but isn’t sure how Todd Dutiaume’s men will line up this time.

 

Clan host the Flyers in their opening game of the 2016/17 tomorrow when both teams look to get their Challenge Cup campaigns off to a winning start.

 

And Finnerty is certain their Gardiner Conference rivals will bring the same level of competitiveness they always do.

 

“What happened in the play-off is still fresh for me, but we’re going into a new season and there are new players and new goals,” he said.

 

“From the guys last year, there could still be a bit of a hangover for the overtime loss. But it’s always a competitive game and they have a good team.

 

“It’s difficult to judge when you haven;t seen them, but they’ve brought in a lot of new faces and lost players like Kyle Haines, Nico Sacchetti and TJ Caig.

 

“It’s a bit of a guessing game over how they’ll come in and mould, but we expect them to be competitive and they’ll work hard so we have to be ready for that.”

 

Finnerty reflected on Thursday’s 5-3 loss to Dundee Stars to complete the pre-season programme of games.

 

And spoke of his delight that Jay Rosehill will take to the ice on Sunday after suffering a broken palate, missing teeth and needing 30 stitches after being hit by a puck against Belfast last week.

 

He added: “Any time you don’t come out with the win, you’re always disappointed, but the biggest thing for us was coming out of pre-season relatively injury free.

 

“We had a couple of minor knocks, but nothing as dramatic as Sunday and that was the main focus. I’m happy to be out of the exhibition season and ready to go for the game with Fife.

 

“After what happened last week, I think we thought we lost Jay for a while here, but I think he would have played on Thursday if I asked him to.

 

“He’s that kind of player – old school – but he’ll get the cage on and get back to work. He wants to get out there and hopefully he gets the right protection.

 

“It sure is good to have him back and he gives so much to our line-up.”