BRACKNELL Bees suffered a disastrous festive period as a trio of defeats took their losing run to 12 games in the English Premier Ice Hockey League, writes Richard Ashton.

The Hive-based side were edged out 3-2 in an ill-tempered game at Swindon Wildcats on Monday night.

After a goalless opening period, the home side took the lead in the 27th minute when Jan Kostal beat Alex Mettam in the Bees goal.

They extended their advantage early in the final stanza as Toms Rutkis got on the scoresheet, and the Wildcats seemed to have the game sewn up when Jonas Hoog made it 3-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

However, Bracknell battled hard and pulled a goal back through Milan Kostourek, and despite having the forward, Matt Foord and James Galazzi all off the ice for various offences, they cut the gap to 3-2 when Scott Spearing netted with 28 seconds remaining.

However, they were unable to snatch a dramatic equaliser and Swindon held on for the win.

Bees had also been beaten 3-2 at Basingstoke Bison on Sunday evening.

After an even opening, Basingstoke opened the scoring when Ciaran Long’s effort proved too good for Mettam, and the home side held their one-goal lead for the remainder of the first period.

However, Bees took advantage of a powerplay during the second stanza when Kostourek hit the target to make it 1-1, but they fell behind again 74 seconds into the final period when Rene Jarolin scored for Bison.

Long made it 3-1 with his second goal of the game, and despite Alex Barker replying with one of his own for the Bees with three-and-a-half minutes remaining, Basingstoke were able to close out a narrow victory.

Bees' most disappointing defeat came in a 5-2 reverse at home to Guildford Flames on Boxing Day.

The visitors raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Jens Eriksson and Janis Ozolins strikes inside the first five minutes, and Danny Meyers then grabbed a third shortly afterwards.

Bees called a time-out to regroup and did not concede again in the opening period, and they cut the gap thanks to Vanya Antonov four minutes into the second stanza.

Kostourek reduced the deficit to a solitary goal, but Flames hit back as Ozolins made it 4-2 just 23 seconds later.

Lukas Smital, Antonov and Jan Bendik all had chances early in the final period, but any hopes of a Bees comeback were ended when Ozolins completed his hat-trick with 57 seconds remaining.

Bracknell have another triple-header this coming weekend, visiting Guildford on Friday (4pm), Hull Pirates on Saturday (5.30pm) and returning to The Hive against Telford Tigers on Sunday (6pm).


l DEFENCEMAN David Savage has been granted a contract release by the Bees.
He chipped in with seven assists in 17 matches and also picked up only six penalty minutes.