CANADIAN defenceman Mike Egener has predicted another frantic finish to the Elite League season as Blaze look to secure a spot in the play-offs.
A 1-0 overtime victory over Cardiff Devils at the Skydome in the final game of the regular season ensured a top-eight finish for Blaze in 2013/14.
And it is expected to be just as tight again this time around with 13 points separating sixth-placed Fife Flyers from bottom-of-the-table Dundee Stars with six weeks left.
Blaze have just 11 Elite League fixtures remaining, with three of their last four coming against Hull Stingrays, who are one place and one point ahead of them in the table.
“Last weekend our goal was to get four points, we didn’t want anything less than that as we need all the points we can get.” said Egener.
“The manner of how we lost in Edinburgh only added to the frustration.
“But there is so much parity in the league and the standard is better than last year so it is tough to steal points. I think it will (go down to the wire).
“If you look at the schedule we play Hull three times at the end of the season and they are going to be massive.”
After three successive games on the road, Blaze return to the Skydome this weekend for back-to-back home matches against title-chasing Belfast Giants.
And Egener knows just how hard the task in hand is against one of the in-form teams in the league.
He added: “Both teams are fighting for their own goals – we need points to make the play-offs and they are looking at winning the title.
“We have played them well this season and we all realise the importance of these games and we will prepare well this week.”
