Head coach encouraged by start

Patrick Corlett • Published 2 Oct 2009 15:00 0 Comments

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Ice hockey

PETE Russell is delighted with the way his new charges are developing as a side after his new look Slough Jets continue to impress.

Following on from their double victory on the opening weekend of the season, the Jets lost a thriller in overtime to Guildford Flames on Saturday and then triumphed 7-5 at the Bracknell Bees a day later.

"We've got 13 new players, which is a lot to bed in to a new team," commented Russell. "Touch wood, everything has gone well so far and we've played some good hockey against some really good teams.

"The whole league is tough, all the teams have quality imports and there are no easy games this year as Sunday proved. You cannot take your foot off the pedal against anyone."

If Slough do not take their foot off the pedal they could well be up there come the business end of the season although it is still early, but they showed what they are capable of against the Flames.

"Guildford will definitely be up there but we matched them," remarked the head coach.

"Before I came here I said I wanted to build a fast, hard hitting, skillful hockey team and on Saturday we played fast, hard hitting, skillful hockey which anyone who was there would have enjoyed.

"We will pack the place out with games like that. We took a lot of bodies out there against Guildford and they would have had some injuries.

"If we can be at that level all the time we will be playing top quality hockey and a match for anyone."

On Saturday the Jets will be looking to continue that at the Absolute Ice Arena against the Peterborough Phantoms - last season's treble winners who have yet to get off the mark in their opening four matches - and then on Sunday at the Guildford Flames in what is sure to be another breath taking encounter.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 02 Oct 09

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