North Ayrshire Wild player-coach Scott Cowan reckons victory over local rivals Kilmarnock Thunder could help kickstart their season.

The team from Auchenharvie have one point, but no victories to show for their efforts so far this season.

Cowan says his young team have Thunder in their sights in Saturday’s derby showdown and remains upbeat despite not being able to pick up a win.

“The mood in the camp is exciting ahead of the big derby game,” he said. “Training and preparation have gone well, even if results haven’t gone our way.

“We’ve been training hard since the start of pre-season and after losing quite a bit of experience in the summer, it’s a young squad we have.

“The game against Kilmarnock is a big opportunity to kickstart our season and hopefully get our first win.

“The boys are up for it and losing to them in overtime the other week was disappointing, we’re chomping at the bit to get started.

“We get a win in the derby, that’ll kick things off and only good things to come from this squad.”

Thunder took a 5-4 win in overtime when the teams met at the Galleon a fortnight ago, with Marcus Murdoch delivering the killer blow on that occasion.

However, both Ayrshire sides suffered home losses to the two Dundee sides last week, with Tigers winning 6-1 at Wild while Thunder were soundly beaten 9-4 by Comets.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh Capitals continue their return and after last week’s disappointing 4-1 loss to Kirkcaldy Kestrels, head to Tayside to meet Dundee Comets, coached by one-time Capitals coach Richard Hartmann.

Comets have one loss in three and will be favourites over Capitals, but the carrot of double points is big one for Steven Lynch’s men.

League leaders Kirkcaldy Kestrels are off to Aberdeen Lynx, looking to keep their 100% going against the second placed team and come in with some momentum after their recent victories.

Lynx won 7-5 in Aberdeen last season against the Kestrels and will fancy the same outcome after a decent start to the campaign.

Sunday’s game sees Paisley Pirates playing host to Dundee Tigers as Ian Turley’s side look to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Aberdeen on Sunday.

Tigers though come in after their win over North Ayrshire Wild and keen to add to their 100% record on the road.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday

North Ayrshire Wild vs Kilmarnock Thunder (6.30pm)

Aberdeen Lynx vs Kirkcaldy Kestrels (7.15pm)

Dundee Comets vs Edinburgh Capitals (7.30pm)

Sunday

Paisley Pirates vs Dundee Tigers (5pm)