Dundee Stars look likely to be minus leading points gatherer Nico Sacchetti for Thursday’s home clash with high-flying Sheffield Steelers.
Stars already have Canadian marksman Mike Wirll sidelined along with Rory Rawlyk, who is set for surgery later this week after a stray puck hit him in the face.
Player-coach Jeff Hutchins praised the 12 skaters who beat Nottingham Panthers, last season’s Grand Slam winners, 4-1 at the Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday.
He is looking for a similar performance against a Sheffield side anxious to impress their new coach, former Edinburgh Capitals star Gerad Adams.
Short benched Dundee dug in deep for the second night in a row on Sunday to end the weekend with four points and slip above Nottingham into third place.
Stars go into the game on a high despite being outshot two to one by Panthers.
However, the English side found Stars goaltender Dan Bakala in top form and he was only denied a fifth shut-out of the season with two minutes remaining.
Billy Bagron, a double from Lubomir Vaskovic, who was making his home debut, and Nikita Kashirsky were on target.
Hutchins said: “It was a fantastic effort from 12 skaters and I can’t say enough about my guys. They work hard and we’re back in the top three where we want to be.”
At Kirkcaldy play-off chasing Fife Flyers have a week to prepare for Saturday’s visit of rock-bottom Edinburgh Capitals.
Coach Todd Dutiaume only has to point to Sunday’s shock result at Edinburgh where Capitals, who are already counted out of the play-off chase, beat Scottish rivals Braehead Clan 2-0 with a double from Curtis Leinweber.
The shock reverse severely dents Clan’s hopes of finishing in second place behind newly-crowned league champions Belfast Giants.
Dutiaume’s men are in ninth spot two points behind misfiring Cardiff Devils, who have lost their last four games.
Fife have a game in hand and Dutiaume said: “We are where we want to be and the last month has seen us click. We’ve taken time to do that but the guys are playing well and coming to the rink is a whole lot easier if you are winning.”
He added: “Previously, we were relying on one or two guys to score but now four, five and six guys are and that makes a huge difference.”
Fife Flyers will have volunteers from Kidney Research UK at Saturday’s clash with Capitals. Players from both teams will sign specially-designed Kidney Research flags.
Cath Buchan, a lifelong Flyers fan receiving kidney treatment, will carry out the ceremonial puck drop.
A Kidney Research spokesperson said:“This is such a fantastic opportunity to get our message out there and raise much needed funds for a great cause.”