HAWKS dreams of hitting the ice hockey heights lie in tatters after two demoralising defeats writes PAUL AGNEW.

Stung by the bees and unable to dethrone the Kings, Hawks opened their play-off campaign exactly how they had ended the British League First Division season - losing.

The promotion push is over almost before it had chance to get started.

Manager Mike Cockayne today attempted to put on a brave face claiming "all is not yet lost" but, frankly, Hawks now need a miracle.

"We are very disappointed to have suffered successive defeats, but we can't afford to let our heads drop.

"It looked to me like we were suffering the effects of fatigue after what's been a long, gruelling season, but we must stay positive and there are four games still to play. We must go out and try to win the lot."

Player-coach Ryan Kummu had talked in advance of the importance of a tight defence in the anticipated frantic play-off atmosphere.

But a goal down inside 12 seconds of the first game hardly suggested his colleagues had heeded the warning.

Indeed, the Bees were 4-1 to the good in the first 10 minutes of Saturday's Arena showdown which failed to produce anything like the sort of crowd officials had anticipated.

Hawks supporters cheers were few and far between although a penalty goal from Oleg Sinkov did left spirits somewhat prior to a goalless second period.

Remarkably it was stalemate too for all but the last minute of the final period, Hawks adding a third through Sinkov before Bees had the final say in the dying seconds. Steve Chartrand had scored Hawks early goal, but the game was lost early on with Bracknell well able to sit back and soak up the pressure and Hawks lacking in attacking ideas.

Even with Kummu, Malcolm Bell and Jim Pennycook back in the ranks it was an unconvincing effort.

Period scores: 2-5, 0-0, 1-1.

Scoresheet: Steve Chartrand 1 + 0, Oleg Sinkov 2 + 0.

It went even worse last night with Hawks outgunned by Premiership outfit the Kings.

The home side took every period, 5-1, 4-3 and 4-0 although Hawks did have the satisfaction of taking the lead after 33 seconds through skipper John Haig.

Hawks managed to stay in the game at 5-3, but the strength in depth of the Kings squad eventually proved too much.

Again indifferent defending didn't help the cause with Hawks having particular difficulty dealing with Doug McCarthy who turned in a matchwinning 3 + 5.

Hawks scoresheet: John Haig 2 + 2, Oleg Sinkov 2 + 1, Steve Chartrand 0 + 2, Malcolm Bell 0 + 1.

In the other group games Milton Keynes won 8-3 at Guildford with Guildford also going down 5-4 at Bracknell.

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