ICE HOCKEY: BACK-UP netminder Brython Preece is likely to feature for Coventry Blaze this weekend as they prepare to face a gruelling three games in as many days.
Preece, who joined Blaze in the summer with first choice goalie Kevin Nastiuk, has watched the majority of this season from the bench.
But Blaze coach Danny Stewart told the Observer he expects to use Preece this weekend as a heavy schedule warrants a rest for Nastiuk, who has iced 39 times for Blaze this season.
Stewart said: “Nasti has played a lot of minutes for us this season.
“I don’t know if I can play him for 180 minutes. We may have to get Preece involved.”
Following Sunday’s win against Fife, Blaze are now ninth and level on points with eighth placed Braehead but with a game a hand.
With a four-way battle for the final playoff spot looking increasingly likely, Stewart hopes a solid haul of points this weekend can put his team in a good position for the remainder of the season.
He said: “Hopefully we can gain some momentum and put pressure on the teams around us.
“We’ve talked as a club and the conference is something we want to win.
“But we have to be careful as looking too far ahead can make you forget about the present challenges.”