RYAN FINNERTY is hoping to be sitting on Cloud Nine tonight as Braehead Clan size up another Fife Flyers scalp.

The men in purple travel to Kirkcaldy aiming to take the win count over their arch rivals into double digits.

After Fife won the first meeting of the two sides this season, Clan have looked unplayable against the team from the east on their way to another Gardiner Conference title.

With a play-off quarter-final seeded place already secured, bragging rights in what could be the last meeting of the rivals this campaign are still up for grabs.

"It’s all about performance and how we play," said the Braehead head coach.

"We have the luxury of sitting with the second/third play-off seeing spot but any time we go to fife we want to fife.

"We want to close out the series in pretty good fashion.

"They have a lot to play for but it means a lot to us and our fans. We have struggled with them in the past and we have found a way to get by them."

Tonight's Elite League tussle will be the first visit to Kirkcaldy for Clan since ugly scenes erupted in January that saw a fan involved in an incident with Manchester Storm hardman Eric Neilson.

It was an unsavoury incident within the hostile Kirkcaldy Ice Arena, a place Finnerty admits is a 'unique' venue.

"I have mixed feelings," he chuckled. "It’s an old barn and it’s different and unique to perhaps anything else throughout the world/

"There is a huge rivalry between us and them. Any time we play it’s going to be hostile and tension.

"It’s fun. I know the guys enjoy it and they are looking forward to it."

One man who will have sit out the fun is Mike Hammond.

The Canadian who has hit 25 goals this term for Clan injured his knee in last Saturday's defeat to Sheffield Steelers and is ready to have a scan tomorrow in Glasgow to find out the extent of the damage.

"Mike Hammond won’t be in the squad," said Finnerty. "He's getting an MRI done on Sunday and we should know more then. We are waiting on the swelling going down.

"He is getting better and is progressing. Hopefully we will hear that we can fast track his treatment to get him back, otherwise it may be surgery.

"It leaves a big hole in the line, a line that is possibly the hottest in the league.

"However, we are still confident with our group. This is now a chance for others to step up."