Lamey wants strong Bracknell Bees finish

Published 15 Mar 2013 11:30 0 Comments

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BRACKNELL Bees captain Rob Lamey has urged his side to forget about the 'achievement' of reaching the play-offs and ensure they finish the regular season strongly.

After securing their spot in the post season for the first time in three years with a 7-3 win at Slough Jets on Saturday evening, Bees were thrashed 8-3 a day later by bogey side Manchester Phoenix.

They now have just four games remaining to affect where they finish in the final English Premier Ice Hockey League standings.

Realistically, anywhere between sixth and eighth looks likely, and Lamey will be rallying his side this weekend to ensure they return to winning ways as soon as possible.

"It could be more difficult to get the guys up for the last four games knowing we have made the play-offs, we saw that happen last Sunday," he told the News.

"The euphoria of the night before and making the play-offs, we let it get to us and we didn't come out with the same intensity. But sometimes these things happen, we just have to be focused now and work hard and ensure it doesn't again this season.

"Making the play-offs is just one step, we want to go all the way to the finals at Coventry, so we have to build momentum."

Bees have just four games left to do that, starting with a trip to Swindon Wildcats on Saturday (5.45pm face/off) and then a home match with Slough the next evening (6pm f/o).

While last weekend saw Bees record their first win against Slough, they have so far not lost to Swindon, and have the opportunity to complete a perfect series against them.

"Not many teams manage to do that so it would be good for us," said Lamey. "We will put the achievement of making the play-offs behind us and focus on winning the next game."

If Bees do manage to beat Swindon on Saturday they would move just a point behind their sixth-placed opponents in the table.

The team that finishes in sixth looks set for a play-off clash with either Manchester or Milton Keynes Lightning, two sides that Bees have not fared well against this season.

However, Lamey says his side will try to finish as high up the table as possible and insists they are not yet thinking about the post season.

"We have struggled against Manchester this season, but we could still get any number of teams in the play-offs," he said.

"We could get Guildford or Basingstoke, who we have done alright against this season, or we could MK, we just have to take one game at a time and not look too far ahead. We will see what cards we are dealt and take it

from there."

Bees should be at full strength for their meetings with Swindon and Slough this weekend.

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