Coach's Corner - Week 21

Greetings once more Bee Army.  A huge weekend last weekend with a hard fought three points out of what looked to be a tough pair of match ups.  

We started last weekend on the road at Milton Keynes facing the Lightning.   Planet Ice MK is always a tough venue to visit, MK are a solid home team who play a tight and tough game.   We had our backs against the wall for chunks of the game but took our chances well when we made them and were a little unlucky to lose out in overtime.   We got off to a slow start with the Lightning taking an early lead but we fought back well and led narrowly going into the third period.   A late equaliser saw the Lightning force the game into overtime and then they sealed the win almost as soon as overtime started.   I felt we played a good road game; penalties ended up being the difference despite us keeping it close all match.   A point on the road at MK is however always a good thing, it’s just a shame we couldn’t come away with both points having run them so close.

Sunday we returned to the Hive for the game that I am sure a lot of you have been waiting for, the return of the Guildford Flames.   We went into the match with a game plan and we stuck to it well, we didn’t allow the occasion to distract us.   The determination and effort the guys showed was fantastic and despite allowing two shorthanded goals we never let our heads drop.   Trailing 2-4 and having allowed those two shorthanded goals I was very happy with how we got stuck in during the third period to not only get level but to take the lead.   The Flames very late equaliser stunned us a bit but a good overtime period and a well taken penalty from Shaun Thompson saw us seal with win and what a great feeling it was to wrap up the victory.   The match had pretty much everything and must have been a great spectacle for you the fans.

This weekend is another tough one in the run in to the end of the season.   On Saturday we make the short trip along the M3 to Basingstoke to take on our local rivals the Bison.   Steve Moria’s side have been a bit up and down of late,  two wins over the MK Lightning, one win and one loss in games versus Swindon and a loss to Slough in their last five games.   So far this season we have beaten the Bison on both of their visits to the Hive but have lost out both times when we have visited Basingstoke.   We will be looking to put this right on Saturday and take the form we have been in of late into this coming weekend.   The Bison are a tough team to get a result from in their own rink but I will be looking for another solid and disciplined road game from the guys.

We return to the Hive again on Sunday and face the current in form team of the EPIHL when the Sheffield Steeldogs head into town.   The Steeldogs have won their last six matches beating Swindon and Peterborough before going on to also impressively defeat MK, Slough and Manchester in their last three outings.   Their run of late has been impressive but twelve wins from their last fifteen games shows just how tough Sundays game will be.   We have taken three points from Sheffield this season and will be looking to keep things tight, keep our discipline and take our chances when we make them.   The previous two games at the Hive against the Steeldogs have both been closely fought and tense games but with our confidence high at the moment we will be looking to carry on the good run we have been on of late.

It is good to finally have everyone back in the line-up, although it will take a while before everyone is back to 100% match fitness and sharpness.   I am also happy that the scoring last weekend was spread around so well amongst everyone.   Shaun Thompson had a standout weekend and Tom Annetts was again solid in net – everyone however worked well and the team work and overall team performance last weekend was outstanding.  

We have taken eight points from our last five games now and have picked up at least a point in every one of those five games and that in anybody’s book is impressive form.   We can’t however get carried away as the coming weekends see some tough games still to come and there are no easy games in this league anymore.  The win over the Flames now means that we have beaten every side in the league at least once this season – this shows just how much we have improved this season and also just how tight the league is with everyone capable of beating anyone on any given night.   We need to keep this good run going and have got to make our games in hand count and ensure we pick up every point possible.   We have our sights on the seventh spot now and obviously need to keep picking up points where we can and make sure we keep the effort and performances as good as they have been of late.

Finally for this week it was great to see such a big crowd for the game against Guildford and the atmosphere was electric too, the Bee Army certainly played their part this weekend.   There were a lot of new faces too and hopefully after a game like that they will be back.   Please continue to make it Loud & Proud week in, week out for the guys – it really does help!

Coxy