BRACKNELL Bees head coach Doug Sheppard is looking for his players to improve their disciplinary record. which has been poor in the opening weeks of the season, writes Dave Wright.

They have accumulated 158 penalty minutes in their opening six National League games, with 57 coming in last Sunday's 4-3 win over Milton Keynes Lightning.

"In the third period we gave away too many silly penalties," said Sheppard."Our discipline nearly cost us and that's something we need to tighten up on."

At one stage, Bees had three players sitting in the sin-bin at the same time.

However, those left on the ice did a sterling job, keeping Lightning at bay during the power-play before going on to seal a hard-earned victory in a penalty shoot-out, with Robin Kovar netting three times on his home debut.

The TSI World Bees were far from their best, particularly in the first half of the game, appearing to be carrying a hangover following their 5-0 loss at Swindon the previous night.

Describing that defeat as "embarrassing", Sheppard commented: "On Sunday, we didn't come out with a sense of urgency, there was no excuse for being flat. But we pulled ourselves together and found a way to win.

"I am not going to get mad at the way we win a game, but it doesn't get much uglier than that."

The Bracknell coach praised Kovar for his hat-trick and netminder Adam Goss for keeping a clean sheet in the penalty shoot-out, but considered Will Stead, who scored the opening goal, as his side's best player on the night.

"I was so happy to see him rewarded for his hard work," he said.

The coach is also looking for more consistency from his team, adding: "At home, we are taking care of the business, but we have to find a way to pick up points on the road. On Saturday, we were just not on the same level (as Swindon), we were not good enough."

Bees face the Wildcats again this Sunday (5.30pm) at The Hive and will again be missing James Galazzi due to his broken collarbone.

"He will probably be out for another month," said Sheppard.