Weekend Teaser: Playoff hockey is here!


Bees prepare for big weekend

Bees no pressure end to regular season

Bees went into last weekend knowing they had their playoff place so it was an opportunity for all the lines and both goalies to get some ice time and for Dom to see what works. Bees also welcomed Josh Kelly back to the line up after some considerable time away with concussion rehabilitation. 
Saturday saw the Phantoms visit Slough. The Peterborough team were looking to secure 5th place in the league which would also put them in the Bees playoff group. Brython Preece started in goal for the Bees and a 1-1 first period saw Dominink Gabaj with Bees first goal. The second period saw Phantoms taking a 4-2 lead into the third. Marcel Balaz scored Bees second. Bees won the third period 2-1 but were unable to find the game tying goal and Phantoms had done enough for the two points. Gianni Vitali and Dan Rose were on target in the third.
On Sunday Bees went on the road to Sheffield to play the Steeldogs in what would be their last game of 23/24 having failed to make the playoffs. Brett Shepherd started for Bees but the Steeldogs obviously wanted to go out on a high for their fans and they came away with a 6-4 win. Highlight of the game for the Bees was Dominik Gabaj's hat trick. The points accumulated by Dom over the weekend put him at number 5 for the league's top scorers with a point total of 105, Marcel wasn't far behind in 8th place with 96 points to his name. The low point of the game was an injury to Will Stead ruling him out of the playoffs.  

Player of the Weekend Results

The 5th best player in the league Dominik Gabaj is our player of the weekend with 75% of the fans vote. 

End of Season Presentations

The annual presentations were held on Wednesday 3rd April and here are the award winners:
Defenceman of the Season:  Brython Preece and Stuart Mogg 
Forward of the Season:  Marcel Balaz
Unsung Hero of the Season:  Becci Clark
Inspirational Player Award:  Liam Morris
Ambassador Award:  Ryan Webb
Most Improved Player Award:  Olly Knaggs
Coach's Player of the Season:  Marcel Balaz
Best British Player Award:  Liam Morris
Players' Player of the Season:  Dan Rose
Player of the Season:  Marcel Balaz

Player Signings

The presentaion evening also is a chance for the Bees to announce some more players re-signing for 24/25 and the fans were very happy when Marcel Balaz and Olly Knaggs were confirmed as returning for next season.

Next - Playoffs here we come

Saturday 6th April sees the Phantoms visit Slough. They were only here last weekend when they edged a 9 goal thriller but it looks like Martin Susters may return for them after injury and he can be a big threat on the ice. Sunday sees Bees make the return trip to Peterborough. Bees played there twice in the regular season and, although they were both losses, there were fine margins between the teams.  

All that is left to say is safe travels to the Phantoms and their fans travelling on Saturday and to the Bees and travelling fans heading to Peterborough on Sunday. Come on you Bees!


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