CAPTAIN Matt Foord believes the previous experience of competing in the play-offs will prove invaluable for Bracknell Bees when they contest their NIHL Division 1 South quarter-final this coming weekend, writes Dave Wright.

Foord, player-coach Scott Spearing, Shaun Thompson, Alex Barker, Alex Mettam and Jan Bendik have all been there before, and so will be well prepared for the two matches against London Raiders.

The first leg is at the Hive on Saturday (6pm) with the return in Romford on Sunday (5.15pm).

The Bees skipper is confident his side can defeat the Raiders over two legs, adding: “We have several players who have been in situations where we progressed deep into the play-offs.

“I like to think we are play-off type hockey players. We have just got to show our leadership and help out the guys who haven’t been in them before, and that is really going to be important.

“What every players loves is the minute the play-offs start, everything becomes more intense, including the training.

“It is so much fun, it really is, and the longer you stay involved in the play-offs, the better it becomes.

“Hopefully, we can show that intensity and take the game to them (Raiders). I definitely think we can get through, but we will need to be at the top of our game for the whole 60 minutes.

“Once we start playing with the edge we know we can play with, then hopefully we can move forward, and progress through the play-offs. Once you start gaining momentum, anything can happen.”

Bees were hoping to finish fourth in the final league placings, one place above the Raiders, in order to earn a home second leg on Sunday, but they threw away that opportunity when crashing 6-4 to visitors Swindon Wildcats last Sunday.

Bracknell News:

Bracknell Bees lost 6-4 to Swindon Wildcats last weekend. Picture: Kevin Slyfield Photography.

It was looking promising for the Bees when they led 4-1 early in the final period, but then disaster struck, conceding five goals in the final 10 minutes to end up the 6-4 losers.

“We did everything right in the first two periods, but obviously not in the last one,” said Foord.

“It was very disappointing, we made mistakes and were punished for them. When Swindon upped the tempo, we just couldn’t cope with them.

“But hopefully, we will have learned from our mistakes and they won’t happen again against the Raiders.”

Bees defeated them in three of their four league encounters, the latest coming earlier this month when they triumphed 6-1 at the Hive.

“We did well against them at home, so we will be looking to take our A-game on the road on Sunday,” stated Foord.

“We need to work hard, play smart and not give them anything. They are a hard-working team and so we will need to shut them down and not give them opportunities.”