27th Feb
Well, yesterday was the day of Bracknell's first ever final (have I said that often enough? :-D), and they put on a great performance. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and a bad start by the Bees was enough to ensure that the League and B+H Cup winners were able to add the Express Cup to their collection.
The Bees got off to a terrible start, conceeding in seconds. By the 22nd minute we were 3-0 down and looked to be going out, but a great rally saw them pull back to 3-2 by the end of the period. Despite charging forward, they just couldn't make that puck go home, and Ayr hung on for the win. Still, definitely a performance to be proud of. A big thank you to all the players for giving so much, and thanks also to Jim, who came out after the game to speak to the fans. Click here for a full match report.
23rd Feb
Play-off dates have been released, and are as follows:
01/03/98 Devils vs BEES 07/03/98 BEES vs Bison 08/03/98 Storm vs BEES 10/08/98 BEES vs Devils 14/08/98 Bison vs BEES 15/08/98 BEES vs Storm22nd Feb
Bracknell finished their league campaign this season, losing at Manchester 8-6 tonight. In a close match, they almost drew level, but lost out to an empty netter from Ruggles with 9.6 seconds left on the clock. Bracknell had made a slow start, drawing level late in the first through the Chief on the powerplay after 13 minutes, having gone 1 down to a Flinton goal only 5 minutes in to the game. Reggie Crawford scored early in the second period, but then four goals in as many minutes by the Storm (including Flinton's hat-trick marker) put them well in control. Colin Ward finished the period's scoring, after latching onto a loose puck, but things were not looking good for the Bees. They looked much worse by 48:36, Storm again scoring two in quick succession to give them a comanding 7-3 lead. However, Tom Gomes,Dave Whistle and the Chief scored to put us only a goal behind, and set up a tense finish. It was not to be, however, with Ruggles dashing Bracknell's hopes.
The result means we finish 5th in the league (an ISL record for Bracknell), and meet Manchester, cardiff and the Moo-Moos in the play-offs. Bracknell will be hoping to break their poor record at the Nynex, which has seen them take only 1 point ever, in eight games. According to a Storm Player (Eric Flinton), the BRacknell players were each up for a 600 pound win bonus tonight, from John Nike, so his bank manager must be pretty happy tonight.
21st Feb
Bracknell beat the Cardiff Devils at home tonight, the final score being 6-5. Cardiff went ahead shorthanded through Hodge, but Ferras was able to pull it back level after good work from Cosher. Into the 2nd, and Bracknell stormed into a 3-1 lead through the Chief and Cosher. however, cardiff rallied and pulled back to 3-3, before taking the lead again through Hodge. But only 40 seconds later Whis was able to tie up the game again. Bracknell had much of the attacking play in the third, and were rewarded with a goal from Tommy gomes. With just a minute left, Cardiff pulled the keeper and were able to slot home through the crowd, ensuring Overtime. It only took Bracknell a minute and a half to wrap up the victory, with Dale Junkin getting the winner. This was their ninth straight game without defeat, eight of which are victories. Not a bad record to go into the play-offs with!
With Sheffield losing at home to Manchester (6-1), tonight's victory confirms that Bracknell will finish at least fifth this season. Nottingham beat the Moo-moos at home tonight,so we stay a point behind them, but they have finished their league season, so a win tomorrow would see us finish fourth overall.
For the record, the play-off groups have been confirmed as 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th in the first group, whislt 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th will contest the other group. Winners of each group will play the runners-up from the other in a best of three series, with the group winners having home advantage. The Final is a one off game at the Nynex, on March 28th, with a 3rd/4th Play-off game to proceed it, along with the Junior Finals.
19th Feb
Bracknell are in the final of the Express Cup, their first ever senior final. In a tense match at Sheffield, Bracknell managed to hold the Steelers to a 4-4 draw to ensure the win, 7-5 on aggragate. Two goals from Brian Pellerin and a goal by Colin Ward were enough to see Bracknell enter the third period tied at 3-3. Sheffield were unable to take the lead, despite throwing the kitchen sink at Bracknell, until inside the final two minutes. Having just pulled Greco off, Wilson tucked away their fourth goal of the night to ensure a tight finish. However, with just 42 seconds left on the clock, the Chief was able to put the puck into the empty net to ensure the victory. Click here for a match report.
So Bracknell are in their first ever Final!!!! It will be held next Thursday, in Newcastle, and the opponents will be Ayr Scottish Eagles, after their second leg 12-4 annihilation of Nottingham (agg. 16-8). Bracknell will be rank outsiders against the Scots based team, who are odds-on to take a Grand Slam of all four titles this season. However, we were rank outsiders to reach the semis, and rank outsiders against Sheffield, so.....:-)
17th Feb
Bracknell just managed to beat the Bison on Sunday, at home, 3-2 in overtime. Bracknell's scores were the Chief, with a short hander, Cosher to bring the scores level and Ferras scored the winner in OT. More details will appear here.
15th Feb
Bracknell went to Nottingham yesterday, and came home with a 5-3 victory. I don't have any more details as yet, so I'll include more when I get them.
Hope everyone had a greeeaaat Valentine's Night :-)
10th Feb
In Bracknell's first ever Semi appearance, Bracknell took the honours, winning 3-1 at home. Bracknell will face the Steelers again a week on Thursday, the second leg being played in Sheffield. Should they win (touch wood!), they will travel to Newcastle on the 26th to face the winner of Ayr vs Nottingham.
For more details on tonights game, see the blow-by-blow report of it.
8th Feb
Bracknell travelled to Sheffield in the league, today, and escaped with both points. But only just! The first two periods were all Bracknell, and goals from Chris Brant, Dale Junkin and Todd KElman saw them 3-1 up by forty minutes. However, Sheffield had reversed this to 4-3 by the 45th minute. Another goal by Todd Kelman leveled the game, but Nicky Chinn broke away to score a solo effort with only a few minutes left. Off went Bernie with 51 seconds still on the clock, from the face-off the puck was given to the Chief, who smashed it past Greco from the blue-line. Was he happy?! :-) Into Overtime, and both teams had good chances until Dale Junkin sent Tommy Gomes through 1-on-1. His first shot was saved, but the rebound fell back to him and he was easily able to tuck it away for the game winner.
8th Feb
Bracknell's semi dates are as follows:
Feb 10th - Bracknell vs Sheffield Feb 19th - Sheffield vs Bracknell
7th feb
Bracknell managed to come from behind tonight, and beat Cobras 6-5 at home. This was their final Express Cup match, and it means that they now finish fifth in the table to play Sheffield in the semis. The other pairing will see Nottingham play Ayr.
Bracknell's goals came from the Chief (2), Todd Kelman, Colin Ward (2) and Derek DeCosty. Brian Greer was in net's for Bracknell.
5th Feb
Bracknell appear to have secured a semi-final berth, by beating Cardiff 6-1, away. Bees were agoal down on 29 seconds, but battled back and took the points thanks to goals from Shayne McCosh, Tom Gomes, Dale Junkin, Dave Whistle and two from the Chief. Bracknell still have a game left in the competition, at home to Newcastle on saturday, and victory in that match would finish Bracknell in third place and playing in a semi-final against Sheffield.
3rd Feb
Sorry, a little late... Bracknell met Nottingham at home in the Express Cup on Sunday, and won 7-2! Two goals each from the Chief, Ferras and Whis, plus a belter from Stewy for the seventh, saw Bracknell come out on top, despite only putting 18 shots on Scott O'Connor's goal. The result sets up an excellent run in for the Expresso Cup. The Bees travel to Cardiff on Thursday, and should they win would be almost guaranteed a semi final spot. Even a draw would help. Bracknell are currently sixth, on equal points with Cardiff but behind them on wins. However, they have a game in hand on the other three teams still fighting to ensure a semi spot - Cardiff, Nottingham and Manchester. Should they beat Cardiff away and Newcastle at home, they will make their first ever semi final!