Published: Friday, 15th January, 2010 9:00am

Seventh heaven for Jets

by Patrick Corlett

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Ice hockey

The Jets celebrate a Ryan Watt goal at the weekend. Photographer (c) Simon Curtis

IT WAS a magnificent seven on Sunday when the Slough Jets continued their remarked winning run in the EPL.

Having won 4-2 at Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday, the Jets closed the gap at the top to just two points with a 3-2 triumph over the Swindon Wildcats a day later and they have a game in hand on the leaders, Milton Keynes.

That extended the winning run of the Jets to seven games as they continue to gel and look highly impressive under head coach Pete Russell, in just his first season in charge.

Their last defeat, eight games ago was at Milton Keynes on December 5 but head coach Pete Russell is understandably delighted with the way his high flying Jets are going. He commented: "I think we are playing pretty well, getting the rub of the green. We have been without Jas (Peter Jasik) for seven or eight weeks now but we are all pulling together and we are taking our chances."

However, he still believes that all games are going to be tough and the league is the most challenging it has been.

"Everybody is giving their all but there are no easy games," he stated.

"People are getting to know each other, we can crank it up when we have to and we work hard.

"Being up there in the top four or five, teams are working harder against us so we have to keep it going but we are going to keep taking each game as it comes.

"It makes it more difficult in our home rink because teams are coming to us and sitting in there as we are one of the top four or five teams and we've got to get used to that which I thin we have done."

Next up for the Jets is a home game against the Lightning tomorrow (Saturday) in an immediate rematch at the top of the table and it is a weekend of double headers as Slough host Swindon on Sunday.

"The games are even harder when it comes back-to-back," admitted Russell. "I think it's going to be very difficult but if we can beat Milton Keynes we will go top on goal difference.

"Swindon will turn the corner soon with the players they have got, they are talented and will do it soon, I just hope it is not against us.

"It all comes to down to Saturday to see if we can improve and go top.

"We have been on this run without Jas (Peter Jasik) as well, he has been out for six or seven weeks and others have been carrying knocks for a while but I hope they will be okay."