BLACKBURN Hawks' doomed play-off adventure ended in double defeat and was followed by even worse news for local ice hockey fans.

Player coach Ryan Kummu anounced his plans to leave the club and is widely expected to line up for a Premier Division outfit next season.

Ironically, Kummu failed to finish either of his final two games, ordered off for a game penalty midway through Saturday's defeat and taken to hospital for stitches on a cut jaw last night just as Hawks looked like ending their season on a high note.

Hawks raced into a 43 second lead, courtesy of Oleg Sinkov at Bracknell but the home side were 4-1 ahead by the end of the first period and took the stormy second 2-0. The match erupted around the half-way point with a clash involving several players which eventually saw Kummu again dismissed. Hawks skated off en mass to consult the officials over the decision and to enquire why Guildford net minder Dave Langford, who had skated the length of the ice to become involved in the fracas, did not himself receive similar punishment. The third period went 5-2 in favour of the home side, Malcolm Bell and Steve Chartrand claiming Hawks' consolations.

Score sheet: Sinvok 1+1; Chartrand 1+1; Bell 1+0; Haig 0+1, Kummu 0+1; Hough 0+1.

On an emotional night at the Arena 24 hours later Hawks turned on the style to take the first period 4-3 and had extended their lead to 6-3 before Kummu's injury.

Guildford roared back to claim the second period 4-2 and took the last 5-3.

Fittingly there were goals for Hawks' free scoring trio of Sinkov, Chartrand and skipper John Haig but a hat trick for Jon Cotton emphasised Hawks' emphasis on home grown talent. But the result seemed almost secondary on an evening when Hawks fans seemed to accept the inevitable break-up of a successful and popular side which has won 43 of the 66 competitive games this season, losing only 20.

The major fear of the local ice hockey faithful is that Hawks will begin next season in English League Division One and lose most of their star players.

Kummu told us afterwards: "I have had an offer from somewhere else and I know in my mind where I want to be next season, although nothing is cut and dried yet."

Veteran Jimmy Pennycook added: "It would be a shame if all this season's good work was allowed to go to waste. We have got a platform to build on and it is important that there's some continuity for the club and the fans."

Paul Fleury added: "It's been a wonderful season from start to finish. Apart from Oleg, Steve and John Haig, there's no superstars in the team, just a bunch of lads who all got on and worked hard for each other. We've achieved more than anyone expected."

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