The TSI World Bees are back to action again this weekend with a visit to Leeds ahead of another encounter with the Swindon Wildcats on Sunday night on home ice in Slough.
Last weekend was a frustrating weekend for the Bees with a brave comeback falling just short on Saturday night in Milton Keynes before the Lightning swung around their fortunes on Sunday night in Slough after a great start by the Bees.
Saturday’s opponents find themselves in 8th place in the table after a very promising start. Their last five run outs have seen them on the wrong end of the results proving that any team is beatable on any given night in the 21/22 NIHL National League.
Sunday’s opponents sit in the top 3 of the current league table with a game in hand on the current league leaders. Their last five games have sun a 4-1 record recorded.
With two frustrating weekends behind the Bees this weekend is a crucial weekend. There’s been instability in the team with players missing and returning but regardless this weekend is all about putting the pieces together in a successful combination and battling for 120 minutes to take points away.
Last weekend Harvey Stead made his return to the line up in almost miraculous time following the horrendous neck injury he sustained. Imports Skate Skalde and Niklas Ornmarker shared duties last weekend with Skate getting the nod on Saturday and Niklas on Sunday. With, virtually a full squad going into the weekend it was disappointing to lose Josh Smith during the weekend and his absence was felt on Sunday.
Head Coach Doug Sheppard shared his thoughts on the weekend ahead; “We’re down on confidence at the moment. We need to get our heads high, rediscover our confidence, trust and believe in each other and play to our strengths as a hockey team.
This is another tough weekend for us but players need to put previous results in the rear view mirror, play together as a unit and we know if we do that we are capable of winning hockey games.”
Bees are in Leeds for a 6.30pm face-off on Saturday with Swindon travelling to Slough for Sunday’s home game with a 5.00pm face-off.
