The Wightlink Raiders will start the biggest month of their season so far, three points clear of the chasing pack at the top of the English National League.
Jeremy Cornish’s team have seven crucial games in January including two matches against title rivals Chelmsford and a massive home game with closest challengers Invicta Dynamos on Saturday 22nd January.
It’s the month which could make or break their championship hopes and a Raiders spokesperson says the players are in bouyant mood ahead of the games.
“The festive break means the guys are going into these games fresh and in the middle of an eight match unbeaten run so they’ll be going all out to get the points on the board this month. Only Invicta can now overtake us at the top if they win their games in hand and we have them at home on the 22nd so its gonna be the biggest game at Ryde Arena for a very long time. Attendances always pick up in January as well so its all set up to be a terrific month for ice hockey fans on the Island.”
On the road this weekend
This weekend the Raiders are on the road for both games. A trip to Bracknell on Saturday is followed by the first of this month’s games against the Chelmsford Chieftains in Essex.
The two teams drew 2-2 at their last meeting in November. The Raiders will be without Bradley Watchorn who’s suspended for both games after exceeding his penalty points limit in the Streatham game last month.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Nicky Craft
