Dubai Mighty Camels to rely on home ice to help level Emirates Hockey League finals series

Abu Dhabi team have five professionals and several Emiratis

The Abu Dhabi Storms beat the Dubai Mighty Camels 7-1 in Game 1 of the three-game Emirates Hockey League finals series on February 23, 2014, at the Zayed Sports City ice rink in Abu Dhabi. Silvia RazgShow more

ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Storms expect a backlash from the champions Dubai Mighty Camels when they travel to Dubai Mall for Tuesday night’s second play-off match in the Emirates Hockey League.

The Storms were impressive 7-1 winners of the first game of the best-of-three play-off final at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink on Sunday.

“The Camels made too many errors and conceded too many penalties in this game, but they are still a very strong side, having won the championship the last two seasons,” Storms defenceman Mohammed Aref Al Jachi said.

“We are expecting a stronger game against them in Dubai. Like we are good on our own ice, they, too, are good on their home venue. They have also won by the same margin in Dubai, so the scores only tell you half the story.”

In their first meeting, the Storms took a 1-0 lead in the first session, and four goals in the next period saw them take a firm grip on the match.

“That was the turning point of the match. I thought they got tired after conceding too many penalties over the first two periods,” Al Jachi said.

“Of course, we played a strong game to win, but even with the lead, we do not feel that the title is ours yet. Obviously, we want to try and finish it off in Dubai, but that we never know.”

Al Jachi has a leg injury from Sunday’s game and will have to pass a fitness test before tonight’s match.

“I am not too sure if I can recover within the next 24 hours, so fingers crossed for this game,” he said.

Ron Murphy, the Camels captain, hopes to use the home advantage to the fullest to bounce back from the defeat.

“We had a bad game in the first play-off, but we will try to take advantage of the home ice and the travelling time to win this game,” the Canadian said.

“It will be another difficult game for us, as we have to play against five professionals from Finland in the Storms team. Hopefully, we can improve our game and try to take the final to the full distance.”

The Storms and Al Ain Theebs, who finished third in the league table, contain the majority of the Emirati players in the league, who are preparing for the upcoming IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia in Abu Dhabi from March 15 to 22.

The UAE are two-time winners of the Asian event.

“To win the domestic championship is a massive boost for the Emirati players ahead of the Challenge Cup of Asia,” Storms manager Khaled al Qubaisi said.