Murrayfield Racers must take their chances at Braehead before home semi-final

Michael Ireland scores one of his three goals in the 4-1 win over Sheffield Steeldogs. Picture: Ian Coyle

Racers edged a 4-3 thriller when the two teams met at Murrayfield earlier this month, and the Edinburgh club should be full of confidence travelling to Braehead Arena following their fine win against Sheffield in what was their final National Ice Hockey League North Cup group game. It was also their first points in the competition.

Ireland said: “That game (against Paisley) a couple of weeks ago was tight. I felt we had the majority of the chances, but when it came to finishing we just didn’t deliver the goods. Against Sheffield we only had something like 15 shots and scored four goals which is a great percentage. It’s about taking the chances we get. Paisley are a good side who defend well, but if we take our chances we should get past them.”

In a busy weekend for the club, Racers return to Murrayfield tomorrow for the first leg of their Scottish Cup semi-final against their big rivals Kirkcaldy Kestrels (face-off 6pm), and Ireland continued: “It’s getting to the stage of the season where every game counts, we just need to keep this winning streak going. That said we can’t afford to get ahead of ourselves and need to take things one game at a time.

“It’s always tough against our rivals from across the pond, and it’s the Scottish Cup as well. Kirkcaldy have never really liked me, you’ll see in the game, they just don’t like me! It should be a great game for the fans to watch.”