SLOUGH Jets player-coach Lukas Smital is delighted with the character his side displayed in the 4-3 overtime win at Haringey Huskies on Sunday.

Goals from Smital and Liam Underdown gave the Jets a lead at the end of the first period, and Smital scored again 85 seconds into the second stanza.

Sam Roberts pulled a goal back for Haringey before the end of the middle period, and the home team levelled the scores in the final stanza thanks to goals from Stephen Woodford and Lewis Jones.

However, Slough used all their overtime experience to secure the win after Underdown netted his second goal of the match on 62 minutes.

Smital told the Observer: “I was delighted with how we started to go three goals ahead, but credit to Haringey because they scored and then got to momentum and at times dominated in a good game.

“We secured the win in overtime so that proved it was a very big character victory for us.

“It was really good to see and be a part of the way we hung on in the last few minutes at 3-3.

“We executed our chances really but it was not a big score for us. We had chances but so did Haringey.

“I’m not disappointed because you’re a young team and still learning, so it was another mental learning curve. You either crumble or hang on.”

He added: “We’ve been pretty solid in overtime this year. We’ve had more overtime experience than other teams and we were on the powerplay when we scored the winner.

“I put three experienced guys out there and they managed the puck really well. You could sense and feel they they were up for it so I wasn’t surprised when we scored.”

The win keeps Slough in seventh position in the National Ice Hockey League South Two league table with three matches still to play this season.

The Jets host title-chasing Bracknell Hornets this Saturday (6pm), and Smital believes it is a must-win game for the visitors.

He said: “We’ve got to take it one game at a time and are playing a very strong team this week so anything can happen.

“The younger lads are starting to learn to perform under pressure and we lost to Bracknell previously, but want to do better.

"Put it realistically, this is going to be a totally different game on Saturday to last weekend.

"It's a small rink and if you don't know how to play on it you will be in trouble. We've learnt to play on it.

"Bracknell are chasing the title and it's a must-win situation for them, but our guys are really up to test themselves.

"The season is not long enough to learn new skills or skating, so it's about mental improvement and that is what we're doing."

Check out the Observer sports Facebook page. Search: Robert Observer Sport and like, follow and share today.