Coventy Blaze forward Ben Lake is confident his team can elevate their game when they head to Belfast Giants this weekend in a double header.
The mood at the SSE Arena will be celebratory after Adam Keefe’s side successfully defended the Challenge Cup on Sunday as they return to the adulation of their fans.
And Lake wouldn’t mind playing party pooper if it means it helps Coventry’s play-off cause that sees them just outside the top eight going into the weekend.
“Belfast is a tough place to play, but we have to come out hard,” he said. “We’ve shown we can match up well against the top teams and bring our game to another level.
“I’d hadn’t thought about the fact Belfast come in after winning the cup last week, but it’s our chance to go and hopefully spoil the night for them.
“Belfast have a strong, deep roster with three solid lines. The biggest thing for us the last time we went there was we were throwing pucks up there and frustrating them.
“We gave it up towards the end, but lost a goal in the last minute, but as I said, we tend to elevate our game against the big teams and that’s going to show at the weekend.
Lake is back in the GB squad next month (PHOTO: Scott Wiggins)
“Three in three is always tough to do, but I’m sure all the guys will be up for it. These are huge points for us to try and get and we need to make our way up the standings.”
Lake spoke of his inclusion in the 28-man GB squad again for the exhibition games next month against Italy and Hungary, with three players being cut in preparation for the World Championships in Slovakia.
He’s excited about the opportunity ahead and recalled his debut appearance last month at the Skydome when he scored on his international debut against KHL side Dynamo Riga.
He added: “It’s great to be involved with the GB team again and I knew I had the chance to be possibly picked. My family are really excited too and I’ve had a lot of messages from everyone.
“It would be amazing to be part of the World Championship and play against players you see on television so I’m going to keep working hard and hope I can make the team.
“The game against Riga was awesome and the crowd were wild in the Skydome with the Latvian fans that were there.
“It was the loudest I ever heard it and I enjoyed playing with those guys and I’m excited to get back into it in the middle of April.”
