BRACKNELL, UK – The Bracknell Bees sent a message to the playoff challengers with their first four-point weekend since November. After a big win on Saturday against Romford, The Bees returned to The Hive and defeated the Sheffield Scimitars with goals from Jaroslav Cesky, Michal Pinc and Carl Graham. The Bees dominated the opening period with brilliant puck-movement and fore-checking. Claude Dumas and Terry Miles were causing the visitors some early problems, but it was Jaroslav Cesky who opened the scoring. The Czech was first to react after Shane Moore’s shot was well saved.
Michal Pinc puts the result beyond doubt (Photo Chris Callaghan)
Great puck control by Dumas drew a penalty but before it could be awarded, Carl Graham sent a rocket past netminder Ben Bowns from the blue-line to double the hosts’ lead. The Scimitars were stunned but came out for the second period looking to turn the game around. Their determination forced some brilliant saves from Carl Ambler. However, a bad change by Sheffield gave The Bees a two-man rush but Cesky’s shot was well saved by Bowns.
Man of the match Carl Graham is congratulated (Photo Chris Callaghan)
The away side deservedly got on the board with a power play goal. A shot by Mark Stewart was tipped by Tom Squires in front of Ambler’s net to make it 2-1 and Sheffield were quickly on the hunt for the equaliser. Ambler was making a lot of key saves and covering up the puck to slow the Scimitars’ momentum. Lloyd Gibson saw his shot deflect onto the post and away to safety as Sheffield began to get frustrated. The Bees finally got some rest-bite as Gibson took a penalty. The Scimitars killed the penalty but as it expired Cesky faked a shot and set up Pinc to score an easy goal. It was a big goal to score and put an end to the revival from the visitors. Sheffield didn’t give up as they upped their physical game in the third but Bracknell had good opportunities to extend their lead. Dumas nearly scored with a clever spinorama, but his shot was narrowly wide of the goal.
Jaroslav Cesky opens the scoring (Photo Chris Callaghan)
Cesky and Nicky Watt showed lots of energy from start to finish and Ben Bowns did well to keep the Scimitars in the game. They were using their physical game to try and disrupt Bracknell’s rhythm but it was to no avail. In the end it was a comfortable win for The Bees who now move three points clear of Swindon and are now only eight points behind Sheffield as they look to march up the standings. Contact the author
David.Bol@Prohockeynews.comRelated
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