ROMFORD, UK – Romford Raiders fell to two more defeats this weekend, though they did at least provide their travelling fans with some entertainment on Saturday. The Raiders travelled to play Bracknell Bees, a team that is fighting to hold on to their eighth spot in order to clinch a playoff place. Once again Romford had to make the trip with a short bench (14 dressed) with several players unavailable, including young hotshot Frankie Harvey and import defenceman Jon Sitko, who returned to Canada last week.
Visitors to the Hive were treated to non-stop attacking hockey, as players of both teams seemed to abandon defence for the night, though it could be pointed out that neither side has excelled in that area all season. Romford have conceded the most goals in the EPL this season (332), while Bracknell are next, having conceded 259.
Bracknell opened the scoring through impressive import forward Michal Pinc, but the Raiders hit back with goals from flashy Lithuanian import Darius Pliskauskas and Canadian Dallas Costanzo. The EPL’s top point-scorer Jaroslav Cesky tied the game up with a powerplay marker to send the two sides in level at 2-2 at the end of the first period.
At the start of the second, Pinc again fired the Bees ahead, before Pliskauskas replied again, and young Brit Matt Turner put the Raiders ahead. Bracknell’s Ashley Calvert tied the game up, before the Bees went ahead through a contentious goal from player/coach Claude Dumas. The Raiders players felt that it had been kicked in, but the goal was given. Bracknell stretched their lead to 7-4 by the end of the second period with goals from Nicky Watt and a hat-trick goal for Pinc, as the Raiders started to tire.
Romford almost mounted an unlikely comeback though, as the outstanding Pliskauskas scored just 34 seconds into the third period. Dean Tonks reduced the deficit to one just 35 seconds later, and it looked as though the Raiders might go on to win the game. However a Cesky goal cut the comeback short, and Michal Pinc sealed the 9-6 Bracknell win with his fourth goal of the night.
The Romford fans did at least get value for money, as they saw 15 goals and two scraps at the final buzzer. In the end the difference between the teams was the import partnership of Pinc and Cesky for Bracknell. Both have been excellent all season, and they have both claimed over 100 points with a few games left to go. It is probably fair to say that the dynamic duo is one of the only reasons that the Bees occupy a playoff spot, and against the Raiders Cesky put up two goals and five assists, while Pinc finished with four goals and two assists. It is anybody’s guess where they will be playing next season, but if they leave the UK or sign for an Elite League team, the EPL will be worse off for it.
On Sunday the Raiders were dominated at home by Peterborough, and fell to a dull 6-1 loss. Romford now have just four games of a disappointing season left, possibly their last for the time being in the EPL, and will hope to provide their fans with some of the same excitement witnessed in Saturday’s goal-fest before doors close for the summer.
Contact the author dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com
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