Guildford Flames face two of the EPL’s in-form teams this weekend as they bid force their way back into the title race.
On Saturday they travel to table-topping Peterborough Phantoms, before returning to home ice the following day to meet Sheffield Steeldogs.
Peterborough have lost just once in their last six games, while Sheffield have won five on the spin, but after a three-game losing run Guildford have bounced back to form themselves in the last two games with victories against Telford Tigers and Hull Pirates.
Player/Coach Paul Dixon was pleased with his side’s tenacity at Hull as they recovered from two goals down to seal the points.
He said: “It’s a great confidence builder to have won a game from behind, which we have not done a lot this season.
“We now look forward to the very critical head-to-head in Peterborough where we got buried on our last trip.
“We don’t want them to move too far out of our reach at the top of the table.”
Sheffield host Basingstoke Bison on Saturday ahead of their trip to Guildford and are keen to keep their winning run going.
Forward Andrew Hirst has been in scintillating form recently, scoring in each of his last four games, and he hopes to continue in the same vein this weekend.
“I feel like I can score in every game at the moment,” said Hirst. “We have confidence as a team at the moment – we want to keep the win streak going as each win gives us momentum for the next game.
“We play Basingstoke and Guildford this weekend and go into them as a team in form.”
MK Lightning face-off against Hull on Saturday looking to put last week’s dismal home defeat against Telford firmly behind them.
The teams have met three times already this season, with MK winning twice on the road and once at home, but captain Adam Carr (above) expects a difficult game.
“Hull are a much improved side since the last time they were at the Thunderdome,” said Carr. “They have a top goalie and have added some firepower to their line-up.
“We know we have to be switched on defensively as they will look to capitalise on our mistakes, and we have to be clinical at the other end of the ice.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday
MK Lightning v Hull Pirates
Peterborough Phantoms v Guildford Flames
Sheffield Steeldogs v Basingstoke Bison
Telford Tigers v Bracknell Bees
Sunday
Bracknell Bees v Basingstoke Bison
Guildford Flames v Sheffield Steeldogs
Hull Pirates v Telford Tigers
Manchester Phoenix v Peterborough Phantoms
(Image permission: Tony Sargent)
