BLACKBURN Hawks are in high spirits ahead of their toughest test of the season so far.

The local ice-hockey aces go into a double header against the division’s top two teams this weekend having impressively won eight of their last nine games.

Hawks host second-placed Sheffield Spartans at the Blackburn Arena later today (face-off 5.45pm), before travelling to league leaders Nottingham Lions tomorrow night.

“Without doubt, it’s one of our biggest weekends of the season so far,” said head coach Gary Buckman.

“Sheffield need the points in order to close the gap, while Nottingham will be looking to extend their lead at the top.

“However, if we can take maximum points ourselves, then we could climb above Telford and Coventry into fourth place.

“So that’s the incentive and the lads are certainly up for it.

“After watching and listening to them in training this week, I believe that they’ll go out and give it their all, and I won’t settle for anything less.

“They’re in the best form they’ve been in all season.

“Their stats are good, they’re hitting their fitness levels and their attitude is right – so everything points to a productive weekend.”

Buckman expects to have a strong squad at his disposal, with just Anthony Kinder absent today for family reasons and Ryan O’Reilly missing tomorrow due to work commitments.