THE biggest crowd in Hawks history is expected to pack into Blackburn Arena for tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash against bitter rivals Manchester Storm.

The Manchester club are expected to have a 600-strong following in what looks certain to be a record attendance in Hawks' five-and-a-half year history.

Storm have recently deposed Hawks at the top of British Ice Hockey League Division One with a sequence of 17 wins in a row, but while the season's promotion and relegation issues could be rendered meaningless if the threatened Superleague takes off next season, that will take no edge at all off tomorrow's local derby. "That won't affect it at all," said Hawks' manager Mike Cockayne: "As far as we're concerned there are two points at stake and our aim is to finish as high as possible whatever the rumours about next season say. This match has a great deal of pride resting on it.

"I don't expect a particularly open game, I think it will be very close and very tense as well as very physical.

"We would have preferred to have had just the one game, but tonight's game at Peterborough is vital for us to win too and we'll not be talking about the Storm game until we're on the coach back from that one. "After the demands of our fixtures so far this year we had a little bit of extra rest early in the week, but we've had some very good training sessions since and worked on a few tactical things.

"There isn't much between the two teams and no-one's really beaten them since we did so I'm sure it will be gripping stuff for the crowd."

Hawks have no injury worries for tomorrow's game, with veteran defenceman George Powell's back problem cleared up.

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