Telford Tigers defenseman Sam Zajac has refused to give up on his side’s EPL title hopes ahead of this weekend’s games against Basingstoke Bison and Guildford Flames.
Tigers lie fifth in the standings, 15 points behind Bison with four games in hand, but with two games still to play against the league leaders Zajac hasn’t given up hope yet.
He said: “We’re there and we’ve got a slim chance. We haven’t put ourselves in a great position, so we’re starting to run out of games a little bit now.
“If we can get four points this weekend and hope Basingstoke slip up, then we’ve got to play them again. Of course, we’ve got a very tough run-in ourselves. If we take maximum points, that’s all we can do.
“We’ll look at this weekend as being make or break for the title. We need to keep going, move forward and then treat every game with the same make or break attitude.”
Telford’s current run of six wins has placed them joint top of the EPL form table, alongside Guildford, with Basingstoke having lost just once in the last five games.
Zajac added: “It’s great to have this run, as it makes coming to the rink more fun and people have got a smile on their face. It’s not that we’re just winning games, but we’re playing well.
“We’ve got confidence in our ability, we’re a dangerous team and nobody will want to face us in the play-offs.”
MK Lightning Head Coach, Pete Russell, has paid tribute to the club’s fanbase, thanking them for their support as his team enters a crucial period heading towards the end of the season.
After spending the vast majority of the season in the top three Lightning recently slipped to fourth, but attendances this season are some of their highest ever, with home games regularly attracting over 1,500 fans.
Saturday’s home derby against Peterborough Phantoms is expected to top the 2,000 mark and Russell is keen to acknowledge the club’s followers.
“Our supporters are just fantastic,” he said. “They are the best supporters in the league – through good times and bad they are always right behind the boys – and that is huge for us.
“In North Wales last Sunday night I was taken aback by the core of travelling supporters – they were brilliant, racking up the miles yet again. All the support through their investment and passion is incredible.
“There is nothing more we want to do than go all the way in the play-offs to repay every one of our supporters for their faith and support.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Manchester Phoenix
Saturday
Basingstoke Bison v Telford Tigers
Guildford Flames v Sheffield Steeldogs
Hull Pirates v Swindon Wildcats
MK Lightning v Peterborough Phantoms
Sunday
Manchester Phoenix v Bracknell Bees
Sheffield Steeldogs v Swindon Wildcats
Telford Tigers v Guildford Flames
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
