Cup hopes on knife edge
BRACKNELL BEES endured mixed fortunes over the weekend.
A 5-2 defeat at rivals Swindon Wildcats on Saturday leaves Bees’ National Cup hopes in peril, but they did pick up two more points in the league on Sunday with a 4-2 win over London Raiders at The Hive.
Bracknell were buoyed by the return of Steve Osman, Alex Barker and star forward Shaun Thompson for the trip down the M4 to face Swindon, but were without influential playercoach Scott Spearing.
The first period was a tight affair with both netminders called into action with Thompson and Frankie Bakrlik denied.
But Alex Mettam was caught out when he misread a through ball, allowing Chris Jones in for an easy finish.
Thompson looked set for a quick equaliser, only to be denied by Renny Marr in the Cats net, but Bakrlik did level the contest before the break.
The second period was again a close battle and it passed scoreless with Mettam and Marr the leading lights.
However, Swindon turned on the turbo in the third as the contest grew more and more physical. Joseph Hazeldine but the hosts 2-1 ahead before Kostal added a third.
Birbraer killed the game at 4-1 and although Thompson pulled one back, Phil Hill put the final nail in the coffin after Mettam had been removed to add an extra skater.
The loss leaves Spearing’s charges bottom of their National Cup group with just one win from four.
Bracknell did at least extend their winning league run to seven matches on Sunday.
Again without Spearing,
Bees gave Danny Milton the nod between the pipes while both Josh and Ben EaleyNewman came into the side.
Brandon Ayliffe missed an early opening for the Raiders and the home fans were treated to the opening goal of the night when Callum Best tucked in at the back post.
London levelled up on 11 minutes when John Connolly slid the puck into the path of Oliver Baldock, who gave Milton no chance.
But Bracknell ensured they would be ahead by the end of the first thanks to strikes from Bakrlik and Josh Martin.
The game was back in the balance heading into the third after Juraj Huska found the net, but a third stanza score from James Galazzi secured a 4-2 win.
Victory lifts Bees up to second in the NIHL Division 1 South table with a double header against Cardiff Fire at The Hive on Saturday
(6pm) before a trip to Invicta Dynamos on Sunday (5.15pm).