Ice-hockey: Streatham look to steal Milton Keynes’ thunder in 2018 curtain-raiser

Streatham enter the second half of the National Ice Hockey League season in confident mood following a three-week break from action, writes David Carr.

The RedHawks have won 10 of their last 13 games but host a Milton Keynes Thunder side on Saturday who have already beaten them twice this season.

It will be the final time the two sides meet unless they are drawn together in the post regular season play-offs.

On Sunday the RedHawks travel to Gillingham to take on Invicta Dynamos.

“The aim is to start climbing the league table this weekend and then we have the cup quarter-final against Telford Tigers to look forward to,” said general manager Graham D’Anger.

Streatham will play the former English Premier League champions for the first time since the early 90s.

“Telford are a club that have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years,” said D’Anger.

“Many of our fans will be looking forward to seeing how the team fare against the Tigers, especially as they are a club we haven’t played against for so long.”

“The focus however is still on this weekend and while its nice to have had a break, we all love being down at the rink and we will continue to try and get as many new faces in the stands.”

The RedHawks will give late fitness tests to defenseman Jordan Gregory and forward Aidan Doughty. Forward Joe Allen is expected to make a return.