ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – 
The Wightlink Tigers and their English National League 2 2009/10 season is 4 games old, and they are still searching for that first elusive win.Two losses to highly fancied Richie Hargreaves led Bristol Pitbulls in the ENL cup competition and a couple of league defeats is not the start that they hoped for. They have lost in the league to Basingstoke Buffalo and highly fancied Chelmsford Warriors in a 7-2 home defeat.
However, the team lost the majority of last year’s 2nd place finishing squad, with only a handful of players coming in to join the side. With six of the Tigers team leaving to join the Isle of Wight’s senior side, Wightlink Raiders with their move from the EPL to the ENL, and with two others not returning it has seen the roster weakened somewhat. Head Coach Roy Meadows chose to not use that as an excuse for their poor start to the season. “Both clubs are working much closer together this season, and with several of the teams moving on to bigger and better things with the Raiders. Developing players is what the club’s emphasis is all about,” said Meadows. “We roll 3 lines game in and game out and as well as that we have several U-18s training with us regularly. Three of them have already got games under their belts, which will no doubt aid their development. As that’s what the club’s primary focus is.” Meadows went on to say, “Winning hockey games is obviously what the club wants to do, however developing players is also a must for us as a club. With a weeks break it gives the Tigers team a chance to assess what needs to be done in order to be successful.” No doubt all teams go through highs and lows and the Wighlink Tigers will be looking to rebound with more success when they face Slough Harrier Hawks and Invicta Mustangs in a couple of weeks time. The club will feel that both games are ones they should be able to pick some points up from and will no doubt be looking for a 4 point weekend.
Contact chris.randall@prohockeynews.com
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