Callum Best thinks the new Streatham rink has helped the Redskins reach new heights this season after a comprehensive 9-3 victory over the Cardiff Devils at home on Saturday evening.
Four goals without response in the second period via Joe Johnston, a Best double and Michal Oravec put the Redskins 4-1 ahead after Joe Morris’ early Cardiff goal.
Best completed his hat-trick and two from Sean Scarbrough, and one apiece from Steven Fisher and Oravec left the Redskins in charge despite conceding goals to Kieran Latchford and Tamas Elias.
Redskin of the Match Best was delighted with the win and places mush emphasis for this year’s impressive form on their new rink and the maturity of the team.
He said: “Moving rinks has been massive for us. We’ve settled in really well here and we’re trying to make ourselves hard to beat here. If you can win at home that’s half the battle.
“This team has been together for nearly a year now. We know each other well, we have confidence in each other and we’re gelling well together.”
The Redskins dominated the opening period but Cardiff net minder Luke Takel kept them at bay with a string of fine saves.
With the home side flooding forward, Morris scored the only goal of the first period on the counter-attack exposing holes in the Streatham defence.
Best said: “Maybe we didn’t expect them to come out as well as they did. We didn’t think we’d be in that position after 20 minutes and it was a bit of a kick in the teeth to us.”
Redskins skipper Johnston made the all-important breakthrough with an early second period goal from distance before leading scorer Best coolly scored after reacting quickest to a save from Adam Wood.
Latchford levelled immediately for the Devils with a carbon-copy of Morris’ earlier strike, delaying the one on one shot until the last second before slotting past Will Sanderson.
The hosts response was blistering with Oravec and Best both scoring excellent individual goals, beating several defenders and slotting home from close-range.
A Scarbrough double as well as goals from Fisher, Best and Oravec’s second had the Redskins in cruise control in the final period.
Elias’ consolation strike could not deny Warren Rost’s Redskins recording their third victory over the Welsh side this year.
A 7-4 defeat to leaders Chelmsford a month ago has not dented their confidence and the Redskins have only one loss in their last fourteen games and lie second in the table.
“As a club this year we’re winning a lot of games. We’re breeding a winning mentality and that helps us coming in each week with confidence,” added Best.
“We’re putting in a massive effort in training to take our scoring chances. We’re dong the simple things right and getting hard to the net and it’s paying off.”
Best admits that the busy schedule can takes it toll and the Redskins will have to be on their guard as they visit Oxford on Sunday evening.
He said: “It takes a lot of rest to keep yourself right. I’ll go home tonight and get a nice meal, relax a bit and just try and get the mind focused for the trip to Oxford tomorrow.”
