Bees looking to playoffs as new season starts

BRACKNELL, UK – Bracknell are looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to last season as this year’s English Premier League gets underway this weekend. Bees netminder Adam Marashi, said: “It’s been a long summer and it feels even longer considering we didn’t make the playoffs last season. Now the season’s here and I just want to get going and back into the swing of things.” The Bees open with a tricky game in Guildford on Saturday before their home opener at The Hive on Sunday against last season’s rivals, the Swindon Wildcats. The Wildcats pipped the Bees to the final playoff spot with an impressive end to the season, including a big win in Manchester. Marashi said: “This season the Bees have to at least make playoffs, that’s the minimum and it’s within reach. Last season we took points off top teams and there were several games we lost that we shouldn’t have lost. “If we turn those losses into wins we should have no problem making the playoffs. We might not have the most skilled team on paper but everyone on the team can play and do a job that will help us win.”

Bees have a new head coach this season. Gareth Cox led the Bracknell Hornets to the EIHL Division 1 South playoff title last season, and Cox is excited about his first season with the Bees. “Pre-season training has all gone well and everyone is fit and raring to go, we are all looking forward to the challenges that the long season will bring and cannot wait to get it underway” said Cox. The Bees preparations have been positive, but Marashi has found it challenging over the summer. “It hasn’t been easy to prepare for this season, I had Ramadan that just finished last week and fasting for a month, only being able to eat at night, was very hard on me. I was feeling constantly drained.” The Bees travel to Basingstoke tonight (Wednesday) for their final pre-season game. Contact the author David.Bol@prohockeynews.com