BLACKBURN Eagles head coach Scott Barnett insists his side’s focus has already turned to the NIHL Laidler Conference play-offs after collecting the league title on Saturday.

Eagles had already secured the championship, and promotion, ahead of their home game with Altrincham Aces but the visitors spoiled the celebrations somewhat by winning 3-2.

The Eagles then lost 3-1 at Nottingham on Sunday to cap a disappointing weekend on the ice but off it the magnitude of their achievement was not lost on Barnett who insists his side will be ready for the play-offs which take place next month.

“We are not letting the results take the shine off being presented with the league trophy,” Barnett said.

“We came up against teams fighting for the play-offs and I was not disappointed with how the lads played.

“In both games we dominated large periods and the stats will tell you we should have won both but we didn’t and that is how it goes sometimes.

“It was a strange feeling before the games as we knew we were getting the cup and we knew our job was done to a certain extent.

“The results didn’t take anything away from the celebrations. Altrincham stayed on with us and there was a buffet at the Arena which both sides and some fans attended.

“We had a couple of drinks and it was my birthday as well so it was a special occasion.

“But the focus has now very quickly switched to the play-offs.”

Indeed the Eagles could yet be coming up against Altrincham again in the play-offs depending on results in the final few league matches.

And Barnett is wary of the threat posed.

“We are likely to be playing Altrincham again so we know we have to be at our best to beat them,” he added.

“We have beaten them in three games this season and we know that if we perform as we can then we can win the play-offs but it is knockout hockey and anything can happen.

“But I think all the lads are looking forward to it.”

The Eagles conclude their league season with a home game against Coventry Blaze scheduled for Sunday April 2 (5.45pm), although with both side’s finishing positions already confirmed that game could yet be scrapped.

The play-offs take place in Sheffield on April 8-9.