Bees to host Raiders in crucial encounter with play-off spot at stake

The TSI World Bees head into this week's triple header against the Raiders, Basingstoke Bison and Telford Tigers looking to check the side's longest losing run of the NIHL National League season.

The Bees have lost their last six games in a row, conceding 33 goals in the process, and you have to go back to January 29 for the last time they tasted victory, a 5-4 win over the Peterborough Phantoms.

The results leave them bottom of the standings on 23 points, however, the Raiders aren't much better off having lost 22 of the 37 matches so far to the Bees' 23 from 35.

They'll also be on home ice for the clash on Friday evening and will be hoping the Slough Ice Arena is in good voice for what's shaping up to be their biggest game of the season.

The teams will face off from 7.45pm.

The table remains tight, with the Raiders just three points above the Bees, while the Bees also have two games in hand - worth two points each. It makes it a must-win encounter for both teams and one that will go a long way to deciding the final play-off spot.

On Saturday night the Bees head to third from bottom Basingstoke looking for revenge after losing 6-1 to the Bison at the Hangar a couple of weeks ago.

Doug Sheppard's side will be seeking to reverse that result in a game that gets underway at 6.30pm.

They'll then conclude a busy few days with a road trip to league leaders Telford Tigers, face off 6pm, but it's worth noting that all three of this week's opponents have lost to the Bees this season.

Sheppard said: “After coming off a poor game weekend, I’ll be looking for a big response on Friday night against the Raiders.

“With Lack and Bradley returning to the line-up we'll be back to full strength for the first time in weeks.”