ISMO Rokala has given Lancashire Hawks a scare ahead of tomorrow night's ice hockey play-off home date with Peterborough Pirates.

And Hawks can count without the services of netminder Colin Downie for the rest of the season.

Finnish ace Rokala is struggling with a groin strain, but is "very hopeful" of coming through in time.

With fellow import Jeff Daniels currently playing on while short of full fitness, Hawks desperately need Rokala to pass a late check.

Downie, though, is a definite non-starter. Out for the past couple of weeks with a knee injury, Downie has now been told he has strained his medial ligament and will need to rest up for several weeks.

Hawks have no game tonight following the postponement of the scheduled fixtures with Cardiff Rage - a decision that could lead to Hawks receiving two points by default.

Hawks official John Neville explained: "The problem centred around the ice time available at the Cardiff Arena.

"Our game there was called off in favour of a live Sky TV clash there between Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm.

"There is no other date available and, as such, the fixture won't take place. We are now waiting for official confirmation about being awarded the two points."

Hawks have won one and lost two of their three play-off fixtures to date.

After tomorrow's clash with Peterborough (face off 6pm) they have just three games remaining.

Peterborough Pirates (away) on Wednesday, March 11, Telford Tigers (away) on Saturday, March 14 and Fife Flyers (home) on Sunday, March 15.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.