PAISLEY Pirates have come up with a new plan to increase their fan base … afternoon games.

The move comes as dates for their Scottish Cup ties against Solway Sharks are unveiled.

The first leg for Bobby Haig’s side will be played at the Braehead Arena on Sunday, November 11, with the return leg in Dumfries on Sunday, November 18.

And the club has decided to have face-off at 3pm on Sunday, November 11 in a bid to attract families who may wish to visit the shopping centre prior to the match.

The face-off in Dumfries on Sunday, November 18, is at 6pm.

Pirates’ managing director Allan Paul said: “Ice hockey has a reputation for being a family sport and what better way to cater for the family than to have a face-off time that will allow these families to enjoy the facilities of the whole Braehead experience before the game.

“If this experiment is a success, then we will look to repeat the exercise in the future, subject to ice availability.”

Pirates have also decided to reduce their admission prices for the remainder of the season which will prove to be a big incentive to the Paisley faithful.

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The Solway Sharks lost 8-2 to the Dundee Texol Stars on Sunday night in their opening fixture in the new Scottish Premier Hockey League at Dundee Ice Arena. The first period was a close run thing with John Churchill scoring a superb equaliser to John Dolans’ second minute opener. But the Taysiders came out strong in both the second and third periods to record what was a comfortable victory in the end. The first period was a close run thing with John Churchill scoring a superb equaliser to John Dolans’ second minute opener. But the Taysiders came out strong in both the second and third periods to record what was a comfortable victory in the end.

The Solway Sharks lost 8-2 to the Dundee Texol Stars on Sunday night in their opening fixture in the new Scottish Premier Hockey League at Dundee Ice Arena. The first period was a close run thing with John Churchill scoring a superb equaliser to John Dolans’ second minute opener. But the Taysiders came out strong in both the second and third periods to record what was a comfortable victory in the end.

The SPHL has signed a five figure, two year sponsorship deal with SPORTSassist, the brand new sports funding organisation.

SPORTSassist will be the official sponsors of the League for the duration of the contract, with the tournament known as ‘SPORTSassist Scottish Premier Hockey League’.

SPORTSassist has been lauded as one of the causes of a “new beginning” for ice hockey in Scotland predicted to occur next season.

The head coach of Dundee Texol Stars, Roger Hunt, has asserted that initiatives such as the SPORTSassist-funded Scottish Premier Hockey League (SPHL) will represent a significant change for the better in the fortunes of the game.

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