Weekend Teaser: Three game weekend for Bees as playoff push intensifies

 

Pink Bees deliver best performance this season

Bees come away from the double header with Lightning with valuable two points

Mathematically Lightning were still able to catch the Leeds Knights so they weren't going to go light on the Bees who are desperate to maintain a top 8 league place. Saturday night in Milton Keynes Bees pushed the home team all the way. At the end of the first period Bees were leading 2-1 with two goals from Marcel Balaz. The teams tied the second period each scoring two goals, Will Stead scored bees third and Marcel completed his hat trick giving Bees a 4-3 lead going into the third. The Lightning scored three goals, all on the powerplay, in the third period before Adam Rosbottom brought the Bees within one goal. With time running out Preece was brought to the bench to gain the extra outskater but the inevitable empty net goal literally on the buzzer gave the home side a 7-5 win. It was a great game to watch for both teams supporters and set up an exciting rematch the following evening in Slough.

On Sunday Bees "pinked the rink" in support of the Pink Ribbon Foundation. Who knows whether it was the pink shirts or the great performance the night before (or a mix of the two) but Bees came out all guns firing and they raced to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period thanks to goals from Will Stead, Dominik Gabaj and Vanya Antonov. Sadly, Marcel Balaz had to retire to the dressing room and didn't return for the remainder of the game which made Bees job a little tougher. The second period saw the Lightning pull back two goals meaning a nervous third period for the Bees fans. Bees were to take the lead again courtesy of an Adam Rosbottom goal but Lightning found the equaliser which sent the game into overtime. Five minutes sudden death couldn't split the teams, penalties were called on Bees' Will Stead and Lightning's Rory Herrman with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime meaning neither player would be able to take part in the penalty shootout required to decide the game. Both Gianni Vitali and Dominik Gabaj were successful with their shots and then Josh Smith scored his penalty to give the Bees a 3-2 lead after 4 shots had been taken by each team meaning Tim Wallace needed to score to avoid Bees securing the extra point on offer. Preece was more than a match for the Lightning's player coach and made a great save and Bees banked the two points they were so desperate to win.The whole team effort was outstanding with every player playing their part to keep the Bees in playoff contention, probably the best home game of the season giving the team the boost they will need for the tough weekend ahead.

Player of the Weekend Results

After a phenomenal weekend where he amassed 2+4 there's no surprise that Adam Rosbottom is our player of the weekend with 55% of the fans vote giving him his second win in a row. Will Stead came second with 25% after his best weekend this season.

Next - Three game weekend for Bees, a Friday night home game before a trip to Scotland and back down to Yorkshire

Friday 15th March sees the Raiders visit Slough for the Elizabeth Line derby. Raiders, currently sit 7th in the league on the same points as Bees. The series is currently tied 2-2 but Raiders have the better goal difference in the results between the teams. They have had an up and down season but have seen an improvement in their results recently with 4 back to back wins in February however goalie injuries on and off during the season have seen them struggle at times. 
Saturday 16th March sees the Bees make the long journey to play the Solway Sharks in Dumfries. Sharks are Bees biggest threat in the playoff race realistically and a win for the Bees in Scotland must be their priority this weekend. Bees only visit to Solway this season so far saw the Bees come away with a 4-1 win, let's see what they can do this time.
Bees then head south to Leeds to take on the Knights on Sunday 17th who may by then be the league champions. They have been phenomenal all season and are deserving of the top place. Bees know they can be a match for the top of the table teams but will they have the legs for three matches in three days? We will see!


All that is left to say is safe travels to the Raiders and their fans travelling on Friday and to the Bees and travelling fans heading to Dumfries and Leeds at the weekend. Come on you Bees!

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