CHIEFTAINS player-coach Gary Clarke was delighted after his side clinched the league title - but is still hungry for more success this season.
A 6-0 win at Solent & Gosport Devils on Saturday made sure the Chieftains were champions, and just for good measure, they followed it up with a 4-2 win over Wightlink Raiders on Sunday to end the season with just one home league defeat to their name.
But with a League Cup final double-header against Romford on Saturday and then the play-offs still to come, Clarke still wants more from his team.
"I'm thrilled. That's what we set out to do at the start of the year, so that's one box ticked which is fantastic.
"It's been a long time since Chelmsford won a title like this so it's really good.
"We knew going down to Solent on Saturday that we would do the job with a win and could celebrate on Sunday, but even though we did win on Saturday, we still wanted to maintain our good home record which we're very proud of.
"Even though the game itself didn't mean that much we still wanted to win it and end on a high.
"But we've got the League Cup final this weekend. Last time we played Romford in the league we beat them 8-1. They're our local rivals and they won't want that to happen again.
"They are always feisty affairs so it'll be a good game."
With the title now secured and being favourites to add the play-off crown to their trophy haul, Clarke is already hoping to build on this success next year.
"We always want to remain at the top," he added. "There's three tiers in ice hockey, with the Elite League and the EPL above us.
"They are all based on higher crowds, based on the size of the arenas if nothing else, and the wages they can offer is a lot higher, so for us to step it up another notch is very difficult.
"We have to live within our means and make sure that whatever league we are in we can compete at the top.
"Going forward, I see us playing in the same league next year and hopefully we'll be playing for all pieces of silverware again.
"What I'm proud of more than anything is that I'm pretty confident that our wage bill is only the third or fourth highest in the league, that in itself is a very good achievement.
"But more importantly a lot – I'd say probably 60 per cent - of our players are local lads.
"They're Chelmsford through and through, they came through the development system and now they're playing senior hockey for the club.
"It's always the aim to try and keep as many of the local guys on the ice at Riverside as possible."
