Featured in the paper every Thursday, Bracknell Bees head coach Doug Sheppard gives latest views on the club’s season on and off the ice in an exclusive column.
We put our disappointment behind us losing narrowly to Swindon on Saturday with a strong team performance on Sunday against Peterborough.
We were short-benched at home, missing Stuart Mogg and Joe Baird through injury, and with Caly Robertson and Zack Milton on international duty with the GB Under Twenty team. Congratulations to them for winning Silver Medals.
I thought we came out flat in the first period on Sunday evening. Our visitors took a two goal lead. The way we responded in the second period, scoring three times, is a measure of how this team has developed.
When the crowd sense the energy the players are giving and appreciate the plays that are being made the atmosphere in the Hive comes alive. Of course the fans cheer loudest for goals being scored, but they also become involved in the ebb and flow of the game. Goals are important but so were the blocks made at crucial times as we defended our lead. When you see a team-mate putting his body on the line, it fires the whole team up.
There was a great response from the crowd when the final buzzer went.
We’re all looking forward to meeting our local rivals in Basingstoke on Saturday and then hosting Hull on Sunday evening. I know how much our regular fans are looking forward to these games. Come on Sunday to experience the excitement of Hockey Night at the Hive.
