Every game a 'must win', says Wightlink Raiders coach

Cornish was appointed as Wightlink Raiders coach in 2009

Wightlink Raiders coach Jeremy Cornish says his team must now win every game in order to claim the English National Ice Hockey League South Division title.

Raiders travel to Bracknell Hornets on Saturday, having won their last eight league games to sit three points clear at the top of the table.

Cornish told BBC Solent: "We're going to have to win every game here on out.

"We can't afford to slip up, we need to stay grounded and grind out the wins in order to win this league."

Raiders have played 21 games this season and have 33 points, three more than league rivals Invicta Dynamos and Chelmsford Chieftains, who lie second and third in the table respectively.

It's a great league to watch, there are really good teams with some great players

Jeremy Cornish

"It's better to be at the top of the league rather than chasing the leaders," said Cornish.

"There are two teams right on our tail with games in hand and both can go past us if they win those games.

"We play them both later this month so we need to capitalise and win those games.

"But we have a good team, and we are ready and excited for the run in," the 30-year-old said.

Only eight points separate the top four teams in the South Division and Cornish says this reflects the competitive nature of the league this season.

"Each team is competitive this season. It's a great league to watch, there are really good teams with some great players.

"The top teams are really good this year whereas last season there was a huge difference between the top and bottom half of the table, so it's much more competitive league then what it has been in previous years."