CANADIAN ice hockey hot shot Lamonte Polet today vowed: "We still want the title - for our fans."

Blackburn Hawks' top goalscorer sounded a defiant battle cry for the Lancashire outfit in the aftermath of a troubled week.

Despite the shock release of five top players, Polet has pledged that Hawks - currently perched high on top of the English Premier League - will remain focussed on a title bash.

"We're going out there and playing to win for the fans' sake," said Polet, who has scored more goals than anyone in the EPL. "The guys in the dressing room are sticking together and staying positive despite all that's happened to the team.

"We're determined to go out there and win this thing. It's the supporters who count in all this - we have to stay loyal to them. We're two points clear at the moment, but it's a fragile lead and the other teams are all trying to get up there too."

Hawks entertain Altrincham in a challenge match at the Arena tonight (face off 6pm) before travelling to Oxford in the league tomorrow.

Some Hawks stars also feel it strange that while Hawks' numbers have been slashed, other teams actually added players ahead of the new year transfer deadline - including rock bottom Oxford.

Hawks need to keep up their impressive strike rate to stay in the EPL hot seat, starting tomorrow night against the team who have yet to win in 18 games.

"Obviously it is going to be more difficult now. You can't lose five players and expect everything to stay the same - that goes without saying. All we can do is our best."

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