BLACKBURN Hawks’ head coach Jared Owen is plotting a scouting mission as well as a good start to their cup campaign, writes SUZANNE GELDARD.

Ice hockey side Hawks begin their Northern Cup crusade with the visit of Solway Sharks tomorrow at Blackburn Arena (5.45pm).

And Owen admits the tie has been timed perfectly, as they face the holders in the league at the end of the month.

“It’s a good opportunity to see how they play,” said the Hawks’ chief, who is not expecting either side to hold back before their league clash.

“Once you get out there you want to win every game, so we’ll go all out.

“No-one will be slacking off.”

The cup has taken on a different format this year, with the six teams involved split into west and east sections, and the top teams meeting each other in the final.

Of Hawks’ cup ambitions, Owen said: “Our aim is always going to try to progress in the competitions.

“It is good for momentum, but if we aren’t successful it’s not the end of the world because the league and then the play-offs are our two main targets.

“But we had a good cup run last year and missed out on winning it just on goal difference in the end, after finishing level on points.”

Solway took the crown, but Owen admitted tomorrow’s game is not a revenge mission.

“It won’t be like that,” he said.

“They’ve got a good team, and this is a good chance to assess them.”

Hawks hope to have Chad Briggs back in defence and goalscorer David Meikle available again after injury.

“We might rest a couple of guys who have niggles but it’s an opportunity for others to get ice and fitness,” added Owen.

Latvian signing Ivo Dimitrijevs is still waiting for international clearance.