WHEN you look at how the fixtures fall in the run-up to Christmas, December started with a marathon, non-stop weekend, then a quiet single game this weekend and finally back to back games against our local rivals before we get to celebrate with our families.

Of course we were disappointed to lose to Milton Keynes last Friday evening.

They had already qualified for the Cup semi-final but we knew how determined they would be to reverse our two wins on our own ice earlier in the season.

I can’t fault the effort the guys put into the game but our specials teams did not execute as well as they had hoped.

Our rink was packed on Saturday evening as we entertained the League leaders. How were we going to react to our disappointment the previous evening?

Well, our fans were thrilled by a resounding win, in which our special teams took every chance that came their way.

Sunday’s game went to overtime after a long road trip to Blackpool. Manchester Phoenix are clearly becoming more used to the small ice pad. We out shot them, but had to settle for a single point.

Three points out of a possible six was not a bad return for a very demanding sequence of games.

On our way back, we heard that Peterborough had won their home game against Bracknell and taken the final cup semi-final place.

While this weekend will be less physically exhausting, just having one chance to gain valuable league points brings its own stress.

This is when the great support we get from our home fans counts for so much.