Bracknell Bees pick up first win of the season with Sheffield Steeldogs victory

The home side opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Frantisek Bakrilik slotted home after good work from player-coach Lukas Smital and Sam Waller, and they extended their lead four minutes later through Milan Kostourek.

Smital capped a wonderful opening stanza for his side by making it 3-0, although they had been grateful to netminder Tom Annets for keeping their own goal intact against a barrage of Steeldogs shots.

Callum Fowler made it 4-0 early in the second period following good work from Kostourek and Smital, although Andy Hirst then pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Man-of-the-match Kostourek sealed the victory with just under 15 minutes remaining, and although Greg Wood scored a late consolation, it was the Bees fans who were left celebrating.

The Bees had previously suffered a 6-3 defeat in an entertaining clash at Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday night.

Bakrilik put the Bees in front as they made an excellent start, but Josh Cook levelled matters before the end of the opening period.

The Lightning took control during the next 20 minutes as they made the most of a powerplay to go 2-1 ahead thanks to a Marko Luomala strike, and the same player then grabbed a second to make it 3-1 after 38 minutes.

Dean Skinns preserved the home side’s lead with a series of brilliant saves before an extraordinary final 10 minutes.

Markku Tahtinen fired past Mettam from distance with to extend the lead to 4-1, and Rene Jarolin and Blaz Emersic then combined well for the Lightning’s fifth goal just under two minutes later. James Griffin made it 61 in the 55th minute, and although Kostourek netted twice against his former side, the damage had been done.

The first came as he intercepted a stray pass from David Clements and broke free while the second followed fine play from Fowler.

The Bees visit Swindon Wildcats on Saturday (5.45pm) before hosting Hull Pirates on Sunday (6pm).