Welcome to the Hangar for the final home game of 2010 and a first competitive visit from the Bracknell Bees.
So in comparison to last week this one is a quiet week with just one home game, one game and the usual training regimen. Last Wednesday was a nice midweek run-out for the guys and gave the GB Under 20 squad some valuable game experience. Perfect practice makes perfect but there’s no substitute for game experience. We raised money on the night and split it between the GB Under 20 programme and the SJJA so thank-you to everyone who came along and donated on the night.
Onto last weekend and a first chance to see the MK Lightning at the Hangar. Victory is always nice but Saturday was that bit nicer as the two points secured our progression in the cup competition. Tonight’s game will be the final game in the Cup qualification round and will then decide who our opponents are in the next round but it’s sweet to be up there with Manchester, Guildford and the Bison in the cup semi-finals.
The game itself last Saturday was one of those games you’d love to have brought a newbie to as it was a fantastic introduction to the sport. Two teams focussed on the win playing out 60 minutes of top hockey and of course it’s always better when your team wins.
Sunday we faced local rivals Basingstoke Bison and played out another good game. This one had everything with five goals on display and some physical play too, the big thing missing from this one was our points.
Over the weekend we were treated to 120 minutes of exciting hockey in two games that could have gone either way and hopefully the final two games of 2010 this weekend will be two more exciting games and this time all four points will come to us.
Tonight we welcome the Bracknell Bees to the Hangar who have had a tough season so far but are starting to find some form. Given that they’ve just added Scott Spearing to their line-up I’d expect their current upturn in form to continue so they’ll be even more so dangerous opponents tonight.
Over the last few weeks, coincidently it seems since we stopped giving away the noisiest block doughnuts, it seems the noise levels have dropped a bit in the Hangar. It may seem like a cliché but the extra noise and the positive attitude it does create really does go a long way in lifting the team on the ice. The sad thing about ice hockey is that it’s watched from behind plexi-glass which obviously goes a long way towards making it safer for supporters but it does mean that everyone has to work that bit harder and make that bit of extra noise to lift it over the glass and sound it out around the Hangar.
Tonight don’t forget you have a chance to win the Slough Jets one of a kind Christmas Shirt which all the players will have signed as well as take part in the final Chuck The Duck of 2010 and the final 50/50 draw as well.
After tonight we’re not back in home action until January 1st when the Peterborough Phantoms are our opponents so enjoy tonight’s game and have a great festive season.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
My team, your team, OUR TEAM
Mark