Bees coach plays down Boro clash

By James Walker-Roberts • Published 27 Jan 2012 09:29 0 Comments

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Bracknell Bees 3 - 4 Slough Jets

BRACKNELL Bees head coach Gareth Cox insists that the game against Peterborough Phantoms this Sunday will not be the, 'be-all and end-all' for his side.

The two teams are battling out it for the final play-off spot in the English Premier Ice Hockey League, with the Bees currently holding a single-point advantage.

After the game in Peterborough on Sunday, the clubs do not meet in the league again until the middle of March when the season will nearly be completed.

But although Cox admits the clash is a 'four-point' game, he is also aware of the tough challenges that await both teams in the coming months.

"There's no doubt that the Peterborough game is another important four-pointer for us but it's all so tight in the league at the moment that even if they lose then they are still in the hunt," he told the News.

"The situation is so close between a lot of the teams and there is still a long way to go in the season."

Bees played just once last weekend after their game at Slough Jets was postponed on Saturday evening due to ice problems at The Hangar.

The same opponents travelled to Bracknell on Sunday evening and were behind inside two minutes when Rob Lamey found the back of Gregg Rockman's net.

Mindy Kieras restored parity with a powerplay goal after Ricky Skene's penalty gave Slough a four-on-three advantage, and Dan Davies put the visitors ahead at 16.54.

Mark Galazzi made it 3-1 three minutes into the second stanza despite Bracknell producing a better shot count.

However, the Bees staged a comeback in the final period when Brad Watchorn pulled one back with a rebound goal at 42.26 and Matt Foord equalisedin the 49th minute.

The celebrations at The Hive were cut short though when

Joe Greener restored Slough's lead just seconds later.

The home side's hopes of sending the game to overtime were hampered when Martin Masa picked up a penalty to leave them shorthanded.

And Bracknell's frustration was compounded late on when Lamey was awarded a match penalty for abuse of an official.

"We did well to get back into it but defensive errors cost us again," said Cox. "Rob tried to speak to the referee about some calls, some icing and offside decisions, and these things happen."

Bracknell are at home this Saturday against Manchester Phoenix (6pm f/o) before travelling to Peterborough on Sunday (5.30pm f/o).

Meanwhile, the game with Slough has been re-arranged to Wednesday, February 22 (7.30pm f/o).

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