Paisley Pirates-finals weekend preview

Paisley Pirates are preparing for one of their most significant weekends in recent years as they ready themselves for the SNL Playoff weekend in Kirkcaldy on Saturday and, hopefully, Sunday, if they can get past the considerable obstacle facing them in the shape of Aberdeen Lynx in the first semifinal (face off 4.45pm).

“It’s the weekend every team wants to be a part of, and we’re in it,” said coach Ian Turley. “Aberdeen pulled off what some might regard as a surprise, in knocking out Edinburgh Capitals in their quarter final, but in a lot of respects that maybe presents us with an even more difficult challenge.”

“We go into action first up against the Lynx, while after our game Kirkcaldy Kestrels take on the Dundee Comets. I suppose the neutrals might fancy the Kestrels to win the double, as they’re already league champions and the playoffs are being held on their ice again, but there will be three other team who all have good reasons to think it can be a memorable one for their club and fans.”

“I think I’m right in saying it’s the first time the Lynx have reached this stage in the season, such has been their phenomenal rise in the last couple of seasons, and they’ll have with that success the adrenalin rush that you get when you do something for the first time, and they’ll be bringing legions of fans with them for sure. We’ve had three very tight games against them this season, including a costly defeat at their place before the turn of the year, and I don’t expect this game to be any different. They’re a good side, they’ll give us problems, but, equally, we’ll pose them a few questions, so I think it’ll be a great game for both sets of fans and the neutrals attending, and the atmosphere is sure to be something special, as I’m in no doubt that our own fans won’t be going along to just sit quietly and applaud!”

“I’m hoping, of course, that our own fans will turn out in force as on occasions like this they really can make a vital difference, especially in a tight game when the legs are maybe beginning to get a bit tired towards the end. Our supporters were a wee bit quiet last Sunday when we beat the Dundee Tigers, I suppose the match was over as a contest pretty early, but I’m hoping they were maybe just resting their vocal chords before the rigours of the weekend to come.”

“What I would say to supporters is this-you have absolutely no need to concern yourself that the boys will be anything other than totally prepared for what is ahead this weekend, because they will be! These special events don’t come along every year, and I can only recommend to every single Paisley Pirates’ fan past, present, and maybe even future, to get along to Kirkcaldy this weekend and be part of an extraordinary experience-we’ll be going flat out to make every fan proud of us, and it sure would be fantastic to hear a volume of noise coming from our supporters to make it just that little bit more special!”