Streatham Redksins bid to return to winning ways in NIHL1 South this weekend, hoping to put last week’s double disappointment firmly behind them.
Defeats to Invicta Dynamos and Chelmsford Chieftains saw Redskins knocked off the top of the table, leaving defenseman David Carr (above) targeting improved performances against Bracknell Hornets and London Raiders.
He said: “Everyone was disappointed after last weekend’s results. We can hide behind a lot of excuses like injuries and penalties, but the results are all that matters in the end and we came away with nothing.
“I think we all know that we are capable of beating both Invicta and Chelmsford at full strength, but if it’s not possible to have everyone fit then we still need to find a way.
“Getting Callum Best back was great for the team and the fans, but he only trained with us once before the weekend fixtures and it’s clearly going to take time to get him back to the levels of play he managed last season.
“It’s hard to switch from being a third line role player, albeit in a higher standard league, to a guy expected to dictate the play, be on the ice a lot throughout the game and play a key role on the powerplay.
“Give him a couple of weeks and his talent will shine through again, hopefully starting with this weekend against Bracknell and London.
“On paper we have a great squad so it’s up to us to try and get everyone on the ice and put the pressure on Chelmsford in the league, whilst building momentum for the cup competitions and eventually the play-offs.”
At the other end of the table Cardiff Devils NIHL will look to build on last week’s win against Bracknell as they travel to face London on Saturday, before returning to home ice the following day to meet Wightlink Raiders.
The victory was just their second of the campaign, but forward Thomas Stuart-Dant hopes it will give them a platform to build on.
“We started off struggling and getting to know our new systems can always be a challenge, but we’ve got those down now and we’re really turning some heads and giving teams a run for their money,” said Stuart-Dant.
“We’re really looking forward to this weekend. London have some good scoring guys and quick little wingers, while on Sunday we host Wightlink and they’ve given us some trouble in the past, but I reckon we’ll give them a good fight at home.
“Hopefully this weekend we can come away with some points and start to turn our season around.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
NIHL1 South
Saturday
Bracknell Hornets v Streatham Redskins
London Raiders v Cardiff Devils NIHL
Oxford City Stars v Invicta Dynamos
Wightlink Raiders v Chelmsford Chieftains
Sunday
Cardiff Devils NIHL v Wightlink Raiders
Chelmsford Chieftains v Solent Devils
Invicta Dynamos v MK Thunder
Streatham Redskins v London Raiders
NIHL2 South
Saturday
Chelmsford Warriors v Slough Jets
Haringey Racers v Peterborough Islanders
Sunday
Wightlink Tigers v Bristol Pitbulls
Basingstoke Buffalo v Swindon Wildcats NIHL
(Image permission: Rick Webb)
