Telford Tigers are looking to lay title foundations
Telford Tigers' head coach Tom Watkins will use this weekend's Red Hockey Cup games with Bracknell Bees as the building blocks towards an English Premier League title defence.
Telford start the new campaign as double-winners for the first time, after taking both the league and British Challenge Cup last season.
That will mark them out as potential scalps for other teams in the EPL, as they look to depose the early season favourites.
Telford Tigers' first pre-season ice hockey match against Bracknell has had a venue switch.
The Tigers were due to face the Bees at Bracknell's John Nike Leisuresport Complex tonight.
But technical problems with machinery at the venue has seen the Red Hockey Cup clash switched to nearby Slough.
The two teams were facing off at 3pm, instead of the advertised time of 6pm.
Sunday's home game, at Telford Ice Rink, is unaffected.
But Watkins is relishing the challenge – starting with this weekend's pre-season encounters. He said: "In these games, the process is often more important than the result. Of course we want to win, but I would rather see us do the little things well and build on that.
"It is early days and we've only been on the ice this week. On saying that, it is nice to get five days of good training under our belts before the first game.
"The guys have built up the chemistry this week and it will be an interesting weekend, with a lot of feedback."
Telford's squad members have made key advances in terms of fitness this summer, as Watkins looks to combat the threat posed by an improved line-up of opponents.
He added: "First of all, our guys are athletes and they've got to compete. If they don't have the stamina, it makes things much harder. It is a fast and physical sport.
"It is a lifestyle thing as well, and our players make good decisions away from the rink. Most teams at this level are very similar in that approach."
This weekend's games will see the Tigers travel to Slough to play Bracknell today (3pm), before the opening home encounter at Telford Ice Rink tomorrow (6pm).
The Berkshire outfit have a new-look squad, following last season's dismal last-place finish – 19 points off the pace.
"Bracknell have made a lot of changes during the summer," Watkins said.
"They've got two new imports who will create a big offensive threat, and are well-known throughout the league.
"There are also a couple of new bodies, who are a bit of an unknown."
