Manchester Storm netminder Matt Ginn says they began their play-off hockey a couple of weeks ago.
Ryan Finnerty’s men are just outside the top eight and are set for the final push, starting at Milton Keynes Lightning tonight with a crunch battle to follow against Coventry Blaze on Saturday.
But Ginn insists they’re not looking behind the Lightning and to a venue where Manchester have lost in their last two visits.
“Naturally, you want to be nearer the top, but we’ve taken the mindset of play-off hockey in the last couple of weeks so we’ll take care of business and hopefully the chips fall into place.
“It’s nothing new playing these must win games, but the bottom line is we have to win these last two.
“It will be a tough task in Milton Keynes, but hopefully we can get the two points there and everybody’s looking at that game against Coventry. We’re certainly not looking past Milton Keynes at this moment.
“I think Tim Wallace has done a great job there and they’re a team that work hard every night. They’re very opportunistic at the back and wait for teams to make mistakes.
Storm goalie Matt Ginn isn’t taking anything for granted at Milton Keynes tonight (PHOTO: Scott Wiggins)
“But if we stick to the plan and the system Finner gives us, we should be successful.”
Ginn allowed himself a brief look at Coventry, who come to Altrincham on Saturday, but he reflected on what’s been a relentless campaign.
And he insists that despite the battle they find themselves in, the rest of the team are excited about what may come.
He added: “We’ve been playing big games for the last month or so and these are the games you want to play in as a player.
“We want to take care of Milton Keynes first, but then we have Coventry, who have a good squad, offensively minded and will be a good test for us. We’ve always had good games against them and will be exciting for sure.
“There have been times when just as we’re starting to pick some momentum, we suffer a setback, but it shows how competitive our league has been.
“Night in, night out, anyone can been anybody and you just need to look at last week when Dundee beat Cardiff the night after Cardiff beat us, after we beat Belfast and it makes for exciting hockey.
“Everybody in our room is looking forward to this weekend.”
