Blackburn Hawks are gearing up for a huge weekend in their calendar as they face Scottish champions Fife Flyers and arch-rivals Flintshire Freeze.

Hawks are desperate to beat Flintshire in what is the first meeting of the two sides this season and general manager Graham Lomax admits their could more than a few fireworks in tomorrow night's clash at the Arena (face-off 6pm).

"There is a intense rivalry between Flintshire and ourselves," insisted Lomax.

"They are always great games and I am sure this will be no different.

"Flintshire have a few players they used to play here at the Arena so I am sure they will get a warm' reception.

"We always want to win our home games and I am sure their will be plenty of sparks flying."

First though, Lomax's face travel up to Fife this evening for a Northern League Cup tie with the Flyers.

"It is a great place to go and play hockey. We don't really expect to get anything from the game, but it is an invaluable learning experience for the young lads. These are the games the lads wants to be playing in to test themselves."

Hawks will be without Lance Derbyshire, who looks set to miss the next two weeks with a virus, while Craig Rogers is also unavailable.

Netminder Dan Roberts has left the club to join Telford.