BRACKNELL, UK – Bracknell Hornets get the perfect chance for revenge this Saturday as they take on the Invicta Dynamos in a crunch play-off game at the Hive. It will be almost a year ago to the day, that Invicta beat Bracknell in the play-off semi final at the Coventry Skydome in a game where the Hornets were comprehensively beaten 6-3.
Bracknell v Invicta – Tickets available!
This time round the odds have changed. Invicta may have won the league, but they have yet to win in Bracknell this season and the last encounter between the teams saw the Mo’s lose convincingly. If Bracknell can win the game this weekend they will be assured of progressing to the final and face either Wightlink or Chelmsford.
Predicted by many last summer to be a steady mid table side this season, the Hornets recovered from a slow start to become one of the leagues most feared teams. Head coach Gareth Cox has his team well drilled and their work ethic and positional play are key weapons in their play. They do not possess the stand out players of other teams in the league but simply have three solid lines with excellent hockey players intertwined across the squad.
Friendly encounters (Photo by Lewis Cleveland)
The Hornets face a Dynamos side also boasting a balanced squad. Having lost the reverse fixture by default, Invicta need to beat their Bracknell hoodoo to progress and it would take a brave individual to predict a winner from these two. Prohockeynews.com previews the key areas and personnel for what will be a riveting clash:
Individual Battles:
Wride in form (Photo by Tim Bowers_
Wride v White – These two goalies are arguably the best in the league. Wride has had a good season following a tough year at Haringey last season. White was in goal when the sides met at Coventry last season and will be hoping for more of the same. Both goalies have plus ninety per cent save averages and there is very little to choose between them. Invicta may start Shane Kemp, who has also had a good season following his transfer from Streatham. It is likely coach Kevin Parrish will opt for White between the pipes on this occasion.
Williams strong (Photo by Tim Bowers)
Williams v Hopkins – Quite literally the two big men at the back. Neither is particularly quick but both have size and positional sense to be a real menace for forwards. Hopkins has seen plenty of ice time and notched 38 points so far which isn’t bad for a stay at home defence man. Williams joined the Mo’s mid season and whilst he is known for his fighting ability, at this level he is rightly expected to contribute in other areas and he has stepped up to the plate with 25 points in 24 games. These two are quite different hockey players despite their similar roles on each team, and the key will be which deals better with the quick forwards.
Mad Watchorn (Photo by Lewis Cleveland)
Watchorn v Baxter – What can you say about these two? Intense, feisty or just slightly mad could all be accurate descriptions for both these players. Both have seemingly endless energy and both enjoy dropping the gloves. Baxter is doing what he has done for the past seven years in the league and he does it well. He can also play a bit when needed but his role on Saturday will be to protect his team mates and also counter act the antics of Watchorn. For Watchorn’s part he certainly does not lack confidence in himself. He has dropped the gloves a few times this year, most notably with Wightlink’s Jeremy Cornish. Don’t be surprised to see him causing chaos from the moment the first puck is dropped.
Andy Smith (Photo by Tim Bowers)
Smith v Galazzi – Two totally contrasting styles but yet two excellent hockey players at this level. Andy Smith has had this league sewn up for years despite being only 26. The Invicta forward has the speed and agility to make fools out of most defence men in this league but he adds a remarkable composure to his game that gives him the edge. Mark Galazzi on the other hand has played at a higher level and is a class act. His time with the likes of Guildford Flames and Basingstoke Bison has given him the experience to not be phased by this type of match. Smith may have more goals this year than Galazzi but both players are vital to their teams on Saturday. If either has an off day it is likely to have a big impact on the course of the game.
Cox disciplined (Photo by Lewis Cleveland)
Parrish v Cox – Both coaches have been in place for a number of years at their respective clubs. Parrish has never lost his hunger for silverware despite the success his teams have had over the past few years. This season has been his toughest challenge yet and regardless of what happens, he has a well earned league winners medal in his pocket. Cox on the other hand has been waiting for a chance to get his hands on some silverware. He demands high standards from his team and their trademark is to keep skating hard till the end. Also very animated on the bench just like his opposite number, Cox will have to make the right calls from line ups to powerplay units if he wants to get his team to the final. In such a close match up, the decisions by both coaches will decide who wins the game.
Regular season games:
Sunday 11 October: Invicta 5 Bracknell 1
Saturday 31 October: Bracknell 4 Invicta 3
Saturday 30 January: Bracknell 5 Invicta 1
Sunday 7 March: Invicta 4 Bracknell 2
Two evenly matched teams but there can only be one winner. Check out the ENL Round-up next week for a full report on who was victorious.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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