Slamiar plots Scims route to Coventry

AFTER enduring a disappointing second half of their 2009-10 EPL campaign, Sheffield Scimitars go into the post-season play-offs against Slough Jets buoyed by two confidence-boosting victories against their Berkshire rivals last weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Apr 2010, 16:48 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2010, 16:49 BST

Scimitars came from three goals down to make the most of their powerplay unit and win 4-3 at Montem Lane before returning home to Ice Sheffield to overpower their opponents 7-2 on Sunday night.

It meant head coach Jon Rowbotham's side ended the regular season on an overdue high with a rare four-point weekend following a disappointing run of form since the turn of the year which had seen them take just six wins from 28 games to leave them in seventh spot.

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The two victories also meant that Scimitars won the head-to-head six-game series against the Jets 4-2, although given Slough ended the season strongly in second place behind league champions Milton Keynes Lightning, it is they who will go into the first play-off weekend as favourites to progress to the EPL finals weekend in Coventry on April 10-11.

Scimitars captain Peter Slamiar said he was desperate to take his side to the Skydome and believes a shock win over Slough is possible.

"Winning both games against Slough last weekend was just great for our confidence, particularly given the run we've had since the start of January," he said.

"We proved to ourselves that we can beat them, although everybody realises that the play-off games will be different.

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"If we can compete like we did against Slough last weekend, we are capable of getting similar results.

"We need to make sure we don't take any stupid penalties and make the most of our powerplay unit like we did in Slough on the Saturday when we scored four goals."

Slamiar, now in his third season with the Scimitars, admits an appearance in the final four would be special for everybody connected with the club.

"Getting to Coventry would be very special, for me and all of the other players. The play-off finals weekend is everything you work towards as soon as you start pre-season training.

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"It would be one of the highlights of my career to take this team to Coventry. It's a big challenge for me and the players."

The first leg will be held at Slough on Saturday, April 3 (6.30pm) before Scimitars play host at Ice Sheffield on Sunday, April 4 (5.30pm).

Related topics:Coventry