Wightlink Raiders’ boss Jeremy Cornish wants to end his playing career on a high note by winning the NIHL1 South play-off title.
Raiders, who face Solent Devils in the quarter-final, finished the regular season with six wins and a draw in their final seven games and Cornish believes they can keep their momentum going into the end-of season shoot-out.
“The boys have been hitting some form over the last couple weeks and I hope it’s just at the right time,” he said.
“Our club has faced some major adversity this year, both on and off the ice, but although we’ve had an up and down season, we’ve played some excellent hockey.
“This young team has lots of potential and I believe they have the heart and skill to finish this season on a high in the play-offs.”
London Raiders face the weekend’s biggest test as they face quadruple-chasing Chelmsford Chieftains in the last eight.
Raiders head into the tie on the back of a 7-1 victory against Cardiff Devils NIHL, but having failed to take a point off the Chieftains during the regular season the odds are stacked against them.
Defenseman David Oliver said: “The Cardiff game was a good all-round game in a dead rubber, as all places were already settled.
“It was great to end the league season with a win, but now it comes down to the business end of the season.
“We need everyone back on the ice and putting everything on the line against Chelmsford this weekend.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday – NIHL1 South play-off quarter-final 1st leg
London Raiders v Chelmsford Chieftains
MK Thunder v Invicta Dynamos
Oxford City Stars v Streatham Redskins
Wightlink Raiders v Solent Devils
Sunday – NIHL1 South play-off quarter-final 2nd leg
Chelmsford Chieftains v London Raiders
Invicta Dynamos v MK Thunder
Solent Devils v Wightlink Raiders
Streatham Redskins v Oxford City Stars
NIHL2 South
Saturday
Haringey Racers v Lee Valley Lions
Invicta Mustangs v Slough Jets
Sunday
Bristol Pitbulls v Wightlink Tigers
Cardiff Fire v Swindon Wildcats NIHL
(Image permission: David Trevallion)
