(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Altrincham Aces head into a tough weekend double-header aiming to build on an impressive opening result in Laidler D2.
Goals by Tom Gilbert and Jared Dickinson sealed a 2-1 victory at Hull Jets two weeks ago, handing the Aces the perfect start to the new campaign.
They visit unbeaten Bradford Bulldogs on Saturday, before returning to home ice against Telford Tigers 2 the following day.
Forward Jake Nurse says the Aces are eager to show they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
“The team are very much looking forward to this weekend’s games,” he said. “Bradford is always a tough rink to go visit and they play a clever game on their own ice.
“They have also made some strong additions over summer so we won’t be taking them lightly.
“We play our first home game of the season on Sunday against Telford. The rivalry with them means the games are always entertaining and we aim to come away celebrating a four-point weekend.”
Sheffield Steeldogs’ player/coach Ben Morgan has praised the impact of two of the club’s summer signings.
Forwards Nathan Salem and Duncan Speirs joined Sheffield from Peterborough Phantoms and Solway Sharks respectively, and both have played a key role during the early part of the season.
The pair will be in the line-up as the Steeldogs face D1S outfit Swindon Wildcats home and away in the NIHL Autumn Cup this weekend, and Morgan is delighted with the way they have settled in.
“They have both fitted in well in the locker room,” he told the Sheffield Star.
“Nathan was straight in but it took Duncan a little longer as he didn’t know any of the guys, but he’s really come out of his shell in the past couple of weeks and he’s integrated fantastically well.
“He’s really bought into everything we do, the fitness testing – the off-ice sessions and I think been I impressed by our approach.
“They provide healthy competition for places which keeps everybody fresh, honest and focused on what we are trying to achieve, be that in a single period or our goals for the season and winning trophies.
“They have been a breath of fresh air for the whole squad which has helped us make a good start to the season.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Solihull Barons v Whitley Warriors
Solway Sharks v Nottingham Lions
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Sutton Sting
Nottingham Lions v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Blackburn Hawks
Laidler D2
Saturday
Bradford Bulldogs v Altrincham Aces
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Blackburn Hawks 2
Sheffield Senators v Widnes Wild
Telford Tigers 2 v Deeside Dragons
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Telford Tigers 2
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Hull Jets
Widnes Wild v Bradford Bulldogs
NIHL North Cup
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks v Telford Tigers
Sunday
Telford Tigers v Solway Sharks
NIHL Autumn Cup
Saturday
Basingstoke Bison v Hull Pirates
Sheffield Steeldogs v Swindon Wildcats
Sunday
Hull Pirates v Basingstoke Bison
Swindon Wildcats v Sheffield Steeldogs
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