The Romford Raiders are the visitors for the second week running this coming Saturday. This time the Essex team visit for the second leg of the Raiders cup, so there will silverware to be awarded after this game. We will go into the tie in confident mood after securing a 4-4 draw in the first leg away in Essex and overcoming Romford 5-2 last weekend in a feisty league fixture.
There does seem to be some residual bad feeling, especially on our visitors part, remaining after what was a decidedly bad tempered encounter last weekend. Romford were very unhappy with Joe Rand’s check on their star import Juraj Huska in the latter stages of the match which led to the Slovakian having to be led from the ice looking very groggy indeed. The Romford bench were incensed by the hit but the referee saw nothing illegal and no penalty was called.
Undoubtedly Romford will approach this game with the same high energy aggressive attitude and Wightlink will once again need to maintain their discipline whilst still fighting fire with fire to overcome the league leaders once again. Player Coach Jeremy Cornish will be back on the ice after completing his ban and his toughness may be needed in what promises to be a high octane encounter. Dan Pye had to be taken to hospital after last week’s match suffering from concussion like symptoms but he was checked out at the hospital and hopefully will be ok to take his place on the blueline come Saturday.
Romford have toughness speed and ability through all their lines and if we take our foot off the gas for a second against this team we can expect to be punished. JJ McGrath showed last weekend what a tough and able player he is and we can only hope to keep Juraj Huska as quiet as we did last Saturday. Andrius Kaminskas will again be on their blueline providing his own brand of toughness and aggravation. Romford coach Danny Marshall will be determined not to lose two in a row to Wightlink with the playoffs looming on the horizon.
Face off for this game is at the slightly later time of 6:15. Come along and bring a friend as the latest chapter of one the most intense rivalries in the league promises a game not to be missed.
In this one I fancy us to keep the run of good form going with a 4-1 win in another tough match.
On Sunday we travel away to the eighth placed Milton Keynes Thunder. We recently beat the Thunder comfortably on home ice but on their own Olympic sized rink they always provide tough opposition. MK are a bit of a bogey team for the Raiders and the recent victory was the first time we have managed to beat them this season. MK feature ex Raider Josh Florey and those who saw the first matchup between the teams on the island earlier in the season will remember the remarkable form of their huge goalie David Cassidy as he seemed to be unbeatable as the Thunder recorded a surprise 4-1 victory on the island. We should have a bit too much for the Thunder but anything less than a top rated performance in their barn could see us upset.
For me the Raiders wins continue. This time 6-3.
Elsewhere in the ENL this weekend.
On Saturday Invicta Dynamos host the Bristol Pitbulls and I fear that this could be a rocky trip for the Pitbulls. Invicta are coming into some good form, are always tough at home and the Pitbulls have been struggling of late. I will go for an 8-1 Dynamos win.
The Bracknell Hornets host the MK Thunder in what promises to be a much closer encounter. I fancy the Hornets winning run to continue but in a close game. 5-4 Bracknell is my guess.
On Sunday Romford host Invicta in a top of the table clash. These teams are both quality outfits but not many go to Essex and win so I am going for a 4-2 Romford win.
Chelmsford host Streatham in a top versus bottom affair, Although Streatham are much improved I suspect the Chieftains’ will have far too much for them and I go for an 8-2 home win.
Last week’s predictions actually didn’t go that badly. Missed a couple but nothing too way out.
Bracknell and Streatham, I went for a 5-1 home win but it was closer than that. Bracknell winning it 5-4. Chelmsford I had beating Cardiff 6-1 and on the night it finished 7-2 to the Essex club.
Sunday was a bit less accurate. I had Streatham down to beat the Bristol Pitbulls 5-4 but in the end it finished a 4-4 draw. I went for Bracknell to win 4-3 at Slough and they did win, the score being 5-3. Invicta and Chelmsford was the one I got completely wrong, I had gone for a 5-2 Chelmsford win but on the night Invicta won 3-2.
Dave
