Kilmarnock Thunder player-assistant coach Richard Thorp says are going out to attack when they take on Dundee Tigers on Saturday.

The Ayrshire side begin a double header weekend with a visit from Tigers, who are level on points with Aberdeen Lynx at the top of the SNL.

And after some difficult results in recent weeks, Thorp insists the mood is positive around the players ahead of the two games, concluding with a trip to Braehead Arena to face Paisley Pirates on Sunday.

“The away trips to Aberdeen and Dundee were tough on us a couple of weeks ago so confidence was down when we took on Paisley last week,” he said.

“Going five down certainly wasn’t part of that plan and we fought our way back into that game.  Since then, going into training, we’ve been feeling good and the dressing room banter was back.

“This weekend, we’ve got the Dundee Tigers coming to us and it’s going to be all out attack so if anyone wants to see goals, they should come to the Galleon.

“But on Sunday, it’s an away trip to Paisley and we look forward to seeing what we can do on the big ice.”

Since beating Kirkcaldy Kestrels home and away last month, Thunder have conceded 30 goals in three games and with Tigers on top form heading to the Galleon, few will back Killie for victory.

The trip to Paisley on Sunday could an interesting one after clawing back five goals in a game where they were 5-0 down, only to be beaten 8-5 in the end.

Pirates’ form has been good of late and will want to continue that against the team in second bottom in the standings.

Back in Dundee, Richard Phillips’ Tigers side have lost only once in the league this season and have already beaten Thunder twice – an 8-4 opening day success then an 8-2 victory three weeks ago.

But Sunday’s first derby encounter with Dundee Comets is one to watch, with Richard Hartmann’s men looking to close that four point gap with Tigers above them.

They could go level on points with their local rivals if both Tayside teams win their dates in Ayrshire on Saturday, with Comets travelling to North Ayrshire Wild.

Victory on Sunday at Dundee Ice Arena would see Comets match Tigers on points and maybe even see them enter the fray as a title challenger.

Comets coach Richard Hartmann is aware of the challenges, but with players returning to the fold, he’s feeling good.

“It’s a big weekend for us and starting in North Ayr, it’s a difficult place to go,” he said.  They can make life difficult, but we’ll have more bodies back, which is what we need.

“Wild are not a game you can take lightly and if you go down a goal or two, you’re on the back foot so they’re not a team you can ignore.

“Sunday is massive points wise and against our biggest rivals in the league, we need to be ready for this one.

“A double header is always tough, but we have a good, experienced group of guys and with more players back for us and hopefully we can get all the points we can.”

The team at the top is Aberdeen Lynx and they have a tricky trip to Kirkcaldy Kestrels, who saw their title defence take another hit with a loss to Dundee Tigers last Sunday.

That result made it five losses in their last six in the league, while Lynx are on six victories from their last seven as both Dundee teams look to catch them at the weekend.

Edinburgh Capitals get a break from league action as they take on Whitley Warriors in the North Challenge Cup this weekend.

They host the NIHL side at Murrayfield on Saturday before making the trip south for the rematch on Sunday where the winners will progress to the next round.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

SATURDAY

SNL

Kilmarnock Thunder v Dundee Tigers (5.30pm)
North Ayrshire Wild v Dundee Comets (6pm)
Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Aberdeen Lynx (7.15pm)

Northern Challenge Cup

Edinburgh Capitals vs Whitley Warriors (6.30pm)

SUNDAY

SNL

Paisley Pirates v Kilmarnock Thunder (5pm)
Dundee Comets v Dundee Tigers (5.30pm)

Northern Challenge Cup

Whitley Warriors vs Edinburgh Capitals (5pm)