Bracknell v Wightlink – ENL South Play-Off Final Preview

ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – Wightlink Raiders take on Bracknell Hornets this weekend in the climax to what has been an eventful and controversial ENL South play-off competition. The Hornets start as favourites due to their better league placing however no one is writing off a Wightlink side who have defied the odds to rightly take their place in the showpiece final.

 
 
The Raiders have looked a side transformed from the inconsistency of the regular season. Player-Coach Jeremy Cornish and his team shocked everyone by dumping Cardiff and Chelmsford out of the play-off group stage, and it will be another shock if they can beat the Hornets as well.
 
The hockey community on the Isle of Wight has been gripped by the Raiders success and Ryde Arena is expecting its biggest crowd of the season this Saturday for the first leg of the final. A good start on the small ice pad will be key to Wightlink’s hopes of winning the season’s showpiece event. In the regular season Bracknell won both games on the island 6-3 and 4-1, but this is a different Wightlink side to the regular season version.
 
The Hornets play on Bracknell’s Olympic size ice pad in stark contrast to what Wightlink are used to and will be confident of using the extra space to utilise their speedy forwards. Both games in Berkshire during the regular season again ended in wins for Bracknell, a narrow 3-2 win and then a more convincing 6-2 victory later in the season.  
 
Bracknell are also in good form having beaten both Oxford and Invicta in the group stage to reach the final. Coach Gareth Cox has been widely tipped to take over the EPL Bees side next season, however he will be desperate to lift some silverware with the Hornets. The speed of Ben Duggan and Alex Barker will be vital for the Hornets offense and Grant Rounding will also look to repeat his recent good form. James Galazzi had a great game against Invicta last weekend as did Tony Barclay and Ben Johnson, but they have it all to do again seven days on from that epic victory over the league champions.
 
Wightlink also have players hitting form at just the right time. Former Solent duo Kevin Tanner and Alex Murray have been surprising stand outs this year and have taken their form into the play-offs. Former Newcastle Viper and Billingham Bombers forward James Udell has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks, as has goalie Toby Cooley. Steve Gannaway adds experience at the back and will be unruffled by the occasion.
 
Both the Raiders and the Hornets rely on teamwork rather than individuals and because of this, it can be difficult to pinpoint individual players to watch across both benches. Despite this, we highlight the key battles of the weekend below:

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Key battles:

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Wride v Cooley – Both goalies have performed well in the play-offs so far and their teams will need more of the same. Cooley pulled off some key saves in the crunch game at Chelmsford and he will face just as much pressure against a rampant Hornets forward line. Wride has been his usual solid self in the play-offs thus far, making tough saves look simple and coming up big on the one on ones. With the vast size difference between ice pads this weekend, both goalies will have to adjust their focus and angles accordingly.

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Dubyk v Larter – When it comes to reliable defence men, these two stand out in the ENL. Larter is a local lad whose passion for the Raiders shows on and off the ice. He will be desperate to help his team get hold of the silverware and will put in 100% to try and achieve it. Dubyk is certainly not local to Bracknell but he has an undoubted will to win. Much like Larter, the Canadian is calm and composed on the puck, but perhaps has the edge physically with the ability to throw big hits when needed. Both players will be vital both in defence and on the blue line in the offensive zone.

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Cornish v Watchorn – Two characters that polarise opinion across the ENL. Watchorn will be desperate to drop the gloves with Cornish, after the latter had the better of a bout between the two earlier in the season. Bracknell beat Invicta last weekend without the suspended Watchorn however he could be a key weapon in distracting the Wightlink player-coach this time round. Cornish will need to concentrate on scoring goals and organising his team, and he is in great form, as highlighted by his game winner in Chelmsford last week. The big Canadian will look to win the games first, however once the tie is decided don’t be surprised to see round two between these two.

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Hughes v Duggan – The two danger men have scored for fun this year for their teams. Both players have EPL experience however Hughes has a slightly stronger pedigree. Duggan notched twenty eight goals in the regular season whilst Hughes posted an impressive thirty two, but benefitted from slightly more ice time given the Raiders small squad. Both players good scoring form will have alerted sides in higher leagues however Wightlink and Bracknell will do all they can to keep hold of them. Team Captain Hughes will have to help his coach organise the Raiders if and when penalty trouble hits. Duggan has no such worries and just needs to continue doing what he has done all season.

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With large crowds expected at both games, supporters are advised to get to the rink early ahead of face off. On the Isle of Wight, local radio and the press have drummed up support ahead of the clash at the Ryde Arena on Saturday and this will be a big boost to the Raiders management team who have battled admirably to keep hockey alive on the island. Regardless of the result, they and the sponsors they have managed to attract deserve this special occasion. The Hornets struggle to attract the crowds their brand of hockey deserves however it is to be hoped that the Bracknell hockey community turns out in force on Sunday to get behind the team. You can be sure that there will be fans from Invicta, Oxford, Haringey, Streatham, Cardiff and Milton Keynes in attendance as interest in the final is strong among ENL fans.
 
The forums on the various ENL club websites have been buzzing with predictions and forecasts, but Prohockeynews caught up with some of the leagues’ players and coaches to find out their predictions:
 
Simon Wren – Peterborough Islanders:
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“Play-off hockey has suited Wightlink, they play a hard physical game and are hard to beat in their own rink and I think the sniff of silverware has got them firing on all cylinders. I just think Bracknell are such a well balanced outfit. They have the players to step up and match the physicality of Wightlink when necessary, they are strong in defence as they have proved against Invicta, good goaltending and plenty of players who can find the back of the net,
 
“All lines have a good balance of work ethic, heads up play and ability to score, I think the depth they have will just edge it for them. I would never rule out Wightlink completely though, they seem to be a really close unit, they have the togetherness we used to have in the Pirates years ago and that on it’s own can be enough to deliver a result, especially in a play-off final. Both teams have worked hard this year to be where they are and either team will be a worthy winner I wish both teams the best of luck”
 
Mark Cuddihy – Cardiff ENL Devils

“I think Bracknell will win the playoffs, I think their huge ice surface and speed may be too much for wightlink. Bracknell have gotten stronger as the season has gone on. You have to praise Cox for that. If they leave the Island with a respectable score and take it back to Bracknell I can’t see past them. However, I think what Cornish has done to Wightlink for the playoffs is outstanding, they are a brand new team and whatever happens its going to be a fantastic final”
 
Lewis Clifford – Milton Keynes Thunder
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“I think it’s too tough to call really, but Bracknell should get the win over the two legs. If I could get odds at the bookies I would bet on a narrow win for the Raiders on the island and a narrow win for the Hornets at Bracknell. Earlier in the season Bracknell were my tip for the team to possibly upset Invicta and take the league title,
 
“I find them the hardest team in the league to play against, they have relentless work rate, good systems in place and an abundance of offensive talent. The Radiers will make it a true play off game down in Ryde and Bracknell won’t be able to play their usual style, but back in Bracknell I think they will have The Raiders number. Either way I hope it’s a great final and it’s a good thing for our league to have more than one team taking silverware”
 
Ken Forshee – Oxford City Stars
 
“We have had some tough games against both these sides in the regular season. I have said all year how much I think of Bracknell’s team. They have lots of depth and speed. The Isle of Wight have had a great playoff run. It will be a close one but I am going to stick to my guns and predict a Bracknell win”
 
The Author (David Carr) – Streatham Redskins
 
“When I drafted my play-off preview piece a few weeks ago, I originally predicted Wightlink to possibly win the competition. Towards the end of the regular season the Raiders lost against Chelmsford at home and then did the same at Milton Keynes. I figured my prediction was clearly a heart ruling head moment and deleted the text and put a more realistic preview forward to avoid ridicule,
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“The reason I originally thought they may do well in the play-offs is actually what has transpired. They are a team that are pretty odious to play against, lots of mouth and lots of hustle, but beneath that is a team that play together and have a fair amount of skill and tactical nous. Bracknell on the other hand are a defence mans worse nightmare. They are quick, well organised and tough with it. I would love to see the likes of David Wride and Blair Dubyk win something as we had a tough year together at Haringey last season, but being an old romantic I think there would be something magic about Wightlink defying the odds. Either way, I just hope it is a close affair and both teams do themselves proud”

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Bracknell Hornets 2009/10 –
 
Wride, Petch, Biart, Avery, Wheeler, Watchorn, Turner, Tribe, Templeman, Rounding, Plenty, Parker, Ovenden, Lack, McCoy, Johnson, Hopkins, Dubyk, Falsetta, Fisher, M Galazzi, J Galazzi, Duggan, Carroll, Bellamy, Barker, Barclay
Coach: Gareth Cox
 
Wightlink Raiders 2009/10 –
 
Annis, Bound, Colclough, Cooley, Cornish, Gannaway, Gosset, Hughes, Larter, Murray, J Reynolds, L Reynolds, Robinson, Sarno, Scott, Slater, Smith, Tait, Tanner, Udell, Webb
 
Coach: Jeremy Cornish

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Please see the respective club websites for exact face off times and admission prices.
 
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com