NIHL North round up – week one

BLACKBURN, UK – Sheffield Spartans started their NIHL1 North campaign with a 3-3 draw at Blackburn Hawks. Spartans iced a much improved roster with new-boys Ross Jordan, Scott Morris & Nick Whyatt in fine form. By contrast Hawks

new look line-up struggled for fluency and looked a shadow of the team who reached the play-off final last season. Spartans controlled the early stages but were unable to find a way past Hawks netminder Danny Brittle. The home team shocked their visitors midway through the first when Matt Viney finished from close range, but Will Barron tied things up moments later. Poor defensive work by the Hawks allowed Dan Taylor to put Spartans 2-1 ahead early in the second, as they continued to look the more threatening team. Owen made it 2-2 after 36 minutes, before more wayward defending allowed Ollie Barron to restore Spartans lead before the second break. Sheffield started the third on the front foot, but a mistake in centre ice saw Lance Derbyshire race clear and he coolly slotted past Andy Bagshaw to make it 3-3. Both teams had chances on the powerplay to secure the win, though Brittle was the busier of the two netminders, and the game fizzled out into a draw. Trafford Metros got their season under way with a 6-4 win at home to Coventry Blaze. Joe Greaves, Jason Pirie & Sean Day all scored twice for Metros. Dale White, Rhys Gillatt, Phillip Pollok & Rhys McWilliams replied for Blaze. Deeside Dragons began the season in style with a pair of comfortable wins. The NIHL2 North promotion hopefuls enjoyed a 9-0 success at Blackburn Eagles with ex-Hawks Tom King (3) & Aaron Davies (2) leading the scoring. They followed up with a 7-2 victory at home to Hull Stingray with Davies bagging another pair. Nottingham Lions came from behind to record a 7-4 win at Fylde Flyers – Ollie Betteridge hit a hat-trick. Reigning Northern champions Billingham Stars enjoyed mixed fortunes in their challenge game double-header. On Saturday the EPL’s Sheffield Steeldogs proved too strong running out 6-0 winners, but Stars recovered impressively the following evening with a 5-1 success at Whitley Warriors – Richie Thornton scored a couple.   Chelmsford Chieftains won the second-leg of their North v South challenge at Sutton Sting 6-0 – Gary Clarke hit a hat-trick – to claim an aggregate 19-3 victory. Solway Sharks eased to a 12-4 success over Dumfries Legends, in a game to mark the 20th anniversary of the Dumfries Ice Bowl. This weekend’s highlights see Billingham begin the defence of their title with a home game against Sheffield Spartans, while Division Two promotion favourites Deeside do battle with Solihull Barons. Contact the author at: Michael.Black@prohockeynews.com