BRACKNELL Bees player-coach Lukas Smital refuses to concede his side can no longer reach the EPIHL play-offs, writes Dave Wright.

His second-from-bottom team now have eight points to make up on Sheffield, who occupy eighth place, following Saturday’s 4-0 defeat on the Steeldogs’ ice.

“As we are pushing for the play-offs, this was a big game for us,” admitted Smital.

“It didn’t happen, but it does not mean our season is over.

“We will keep plugging away until the end. We have 19 games remaining and we will be giving our all – that is all I can ask for from the players.”

Bees had twice won at Sheffield this season and were clearly intent on making it three at the weekend.

Their positive approach to the game saw them produce 47 attempts on goal, yet not one found the net. And that, along with conceding soft goals, is why Bees are struggling to win games.

Smital commented: “I was looking at the stats and in eight games we scored only seven goals – that is not great. But at least we are creating opportunities, we’re having shots.

“Hopefully, the stage we are going through we can snap out of, and we can start putting some away.”

Bees’ hopes of getting back to winning ways – their last victory was against Hull on December 3 – are also not not being helped by a growing injury list.

Scott Spearing and Josh Smith have missed several games, and last weekend they were joined on the sidelines by Matt Foord and new signing Rupert Quiney.

Bees will want to ice their strongest squad this weekend, as they face leaders Telford Tigers on Saturday (6pm) before travelling up to fifth-placed Hull on Sunday (5.30pm).