NIHL North round-up – week 14

BLACKBURN, UK – Play-off chasing Blackburn Hawks strengthened their grip on third place in NIHL1 North with a narrow 2-1 win at Coventry Blaze. Josh Nicklin put the home team in front after 14 minutes, but Aaron Davies levelled things up before the first buzzer. Dan MacKriel edged Hawks in front early in the second and the visitors held firm to seal the points.

Telford Titans ‘ bid to move away from the foot of the table received a boost with a 5-3 win at Trafford Metros. Paul Rigby gave Titans an early lead, before Karol Jets and Dan Harrison put them 3 – 0 in front by the halfway point. Tom Revesz gave Metros some hope, but Jets ‘ second of the night restored the three goal cushion early in the third. Jared Dickinson scored twice in a minute midway through the period to bring the score back to 4-3, but Ashley Stanton ‘ s last minute empty netter secured the win for the Titans.
Netminder Dimitri Zimozdra enjoyed an impressive debut for Sutton Sting as they shut-out Whitley Warriors 4-0 in the Trans-Pennine East/West Trophy. Sting were looking to bounce back from two heavy defeats last week and did so in style as goals from Ryan Johnson, Craig Thurston, Matt Jeffcock and Shaun Ashton secured a comfortable success.
NIHL2 North leaders Nottingham Lions returned to winning ways with a 12-0 victory at home to Fylde Flyers – Joe Wightman(4) and Luke Branin (2) led the scoring. Sheffield Senators stay second after an 8-2 win at Blackburn Eagles – Nathan Britton and Callum Rawson both scored twice for Senators. Erik Bakalar hit a hat-trick in Solihull Barons ‘ 8-3 win at Hull Stingrays.
Next weekend sees NIHL1 North leaders Solway Sharks host Whitley, while in Division Two Solihull face-off against Nottingham. Contact the author at: Michael.Black@prohockeynews.com