Ice-hockey: Streatham forward wants home ice to be key factor in Bees clash

BY DAVID CARR

Streatham IHC forward Jacob Ranson  hoping home ice advantage will play a part against Bracknell Bees this weekend.

Ranson, last season’s Coaches Player of the Year praised the Bees ahead of Sunday’s clash at Streatham Ice & Leisure Centre (6.45pm).

“I’m looking forward to coming up against the Bees again as you always want to play against the best and they’re one of the best,” the 23-year-old said.

“It’s going to be another tough challenge, but I feel we know more about them and the way they play after last weekend.

“We know they’re a strong, organised side with a great coach but we stuck around in the game last week despite a poor performance.

“Hopefully being back on home ice will play into our hands as long as we play simple and disciplined.”

The two sides met last weekend with Doug Sheppard’s side winning 3-2 against the Redhawks in the dying stages of the match at the John Nike Leisure Centre.

Goals from Harvey Stead, Shaun Thompson and Josh Smith sealed the points for the Berkshire side despite Jeremy Cornish’s side clawing their way back into the encounter twice thanks to Adam Carr and Rupert Quiney.

“We weren’t good enough,” said Ranson. “We didn’t control the puck well enough, and we let them run riot. Although I did feel we showed some character to stay in the game for that long.

“It was very frustrating not to take it to overtime as we were only a minute away from doing so.

“At the same time we’ve got a lot of new faces and haven’t been together very long, so we just have to keep knuckling down to get it right out on the ice.”