BRACKNELL, UK – When Slough Jets snapped up Bracknell Hornets top scorer Dan Davies during the summer, questions were raised as to where the scoring threat would come from in the 2009/10 season.
Hardworking Duggan getting rewards at Bracknell (Photo by Tim Bowers)
The answer has come in the form of former Guildford Flame Ben Duggan, who is looking to resurrect his career with the Hornets. The hard working forward has been a key reason behind the Hornets’ good form this season, and has notched 17 goals and 25 assists in only 21 games.
Duggan is quick to play down his role and points to team unity and depth as key factors behind his team’s success post Davies:
“Dan was a big loss for us during the summer, however he needed that step up and all the boys are really pleased to see him doing so well this year. As a team I think everyone is really buying into the systems that Coxy (Coach Gareth Cox) has set out. Other signings like Blair Dubyk and Mark Galazzi have also brought a lot of experience, giving us great depth which enables us to play three solid lines”
Strength in depth a key factor (Photo by Tim Bowers)
If there was one game that really made people sit up and notice the Hornets this season it was the 4-3 win over league leaders Invicta back in October. Duggan is first to admit that the result was a massive boost at the time, but that the Dynamos are still in pole position for the title:
“Obviously it was a huge game for us as we hadn’t beaten them in our previous seven meetings so it was a psychological barrier as well as a physical one. They also beat us in last year’s playoff semi-finals so getting the win over them on our own ice was great, as we needed the points after a shaky start to the season,
“Invicta have the league to lose now and all we can do is keep winning our games and who knows what can happen! For second place Cardiff and Chelmsford are our main rivals,
“There are still plenty of games remaining and we have a few meetings against both teams, so they become must win games now for us to stay in the running. All we can do is take it one game at a time and make sure we show up every night”
A-Bar has been in top form this season (Photo Tim Bowers)
On a personal level, Duggan is currently locked in a tight battle with fellow Hornet Alex Barker for the team’s top scorer crown, but he certainly doesn’t lack confidence in response to the question of whether he can stay ahead of his rival in the points department:
“Yeah easy, A-bar (Barker) and I play on different lines and the banter is always there for the top point scorer. As long as we are getting the wins I’m not too bothered who gets the goals though”
His other rival is his brother Tom who currently plays in the English Premier League at Guildford. He is one of a number of ENL players whose brothers play at a higher level however Duggan senior says the rivalry is more intense off the ice than on it:
Duggan in Flames uniform
“To be honest there isn’t much rivalry during the season, it may be a different story if we played in the same league but don’t think I’d stand much of a chance there. Most of the rivalry comes in the summer, we play a lot of golf and go to the gym – I dominate him there. I also have a younger brother Sam. He plays for Bracknell U12’s, and is pretty keen to beat Tom’s point records at U12’s. I think he is on track with 41 points in 9 games, so no doubt I will soon have two younger brothers better than me”
Whilst his modesty may be endearing, Duggan’s scoring record will no doubt attract attention from the EPL, however he is clear that for now the Hornets are his main focus:
“My time at Guildford was great and I learnt a lot, especially playing with some great players. At the moment I’m really enjoying playing for the Hornets, and I get on really well with all the boys and the coaching staff are great. If the opportunity came up to play in the EPL again I would consider it, but as of now I’m very happy here at Bracknell,
“There is definitely more time on the puck in the ENL, everything happens a little quicker and the players are physically a lot stronger in the EPL. I still believe I can do a job at that level”
One award Duggan is not so keen on receiving is the Man of the Match beers which readers may find surprising from someone who is in such good form. There is a method to his madness however, as he explains:
Visit to the dentist for Gareth Wheeler (Photo by Tim Bowers)
“The boys normally give the man of the match a few friendly punches on the way to collect the beers. However one of our games got a little feistier than normal recently and actually led to Gareth Wheeler loosing half his front tooth, he was fine but still looks ridiculous. I don’t fancy any of that”
Duggan and his team mates are in great form at present and recently dispatched Cardiff 5-2 in Berkshire. They look to be a real threat as the league enters its final stage, and the smart money is on Duggan and his partner in crime Alex Barker to fire the goals the Hornets need to climb the table.
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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