JIM Pennycook has boomed out a message to Blackburn Hawks fans: "Your support could be like an extra player to us tonight!"

The player-coach believes the Arena faithful are central to the performance on the ice in the opening play-off home showdown with Murrayfield Royals (face-off 6pm).

"The fans have been exceptional." says Pennycook, "We wouldn't be half the force without them. They've stood by us through it all this season, and however we've performed in the league there's always been a crowd at the Arena to cheer us on - and I for one must applaud that. It really does help us on the ice - the bigger the crowd, the harder we seem to work at a result."

And tonight Hawks really need that result, when they fly into action in their opening bid to silence the doubters.

Royals visit the Arena tonight with revenge on their minds the start of a frantic programme of play-off encounters which will ultimately decide the champion of Great Britain. Hawks fans will relish the prospect - on the back of seven wins from eight games and an away victory at Murrayfield last week, Hawks are currently the form team of the Northern Premier League.

"We've got to be up in first or second place to go through to the second round. When we get there we'll have to re-assess the situation."

Hawks share the play-off table with the Royals, and second place Paisley Pirates, and will be battling all the way to get off to a good start.

"We've grown into a much stronger side as the season has progressed," says Pennycook.

"Our younger players have clearly developed and matured as the season has worn on, and I think they've surprised a lot of people.

"And the players who have come to Blackburn on the strength of me being coach is very pleasing.

"We're lucky to have people like Neil Abel and Bobby Haigthem icing for us."

Pennycook is sidelined with a persistent ankle injury and looks unlikely to feature in any of the remaining games.

Hawks other play-off matches are at home to Paisley Pirates (Saturday, March 1) away to Murrayfield (Sunday, March 2) and finally away at Paisley (Saturday, March 8).

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