(Image permission: Keith & Jenny Davies)
LANCASHIRE, UK – With 2018 rapidly coming to an end it’s time to take a look at where things are up to in NIHL North.
An exciting title battle appears on the cards in Moralee D1, with three sides set to fight out top spot. One team is currently running away with Laidler D2, although the chasing pack will hope to reel them in over the coming months.
Read on as we look at what we can look forward to during the second part of the season.
Former EPL trio set for epic battle
Reigning champions Sheffield Steeldogs face both of their main title rivals this weekend and the games will undoubtedly be a good indicator of the trio’s respective hopes of finishing top.
Just two points covers the Steeldogs, Telford Tigers and Hull Pirates heading into the latest round of matches and each will rightly believe they can win the league.
Sheffield are the most functional of the three sides, while Telford boast the greatest firepower. Hull are not too shabby in the forward department either and if they can retain the services of netminder Brad Day they can push their rivals all the way.
However, Doug Clarkson’s presence at Telford could be the key factor and the Tigers are fancied to finish top of the pile.
Sharks the best of the rest
Solway Sharks finished fourth behind the former EPL trio last season and they are expected to repeat the trick this time around.
Martin Grubb’s side have produced some impressive performances against the top three and they don’t appear far off being able to match them on a regular basis.
Solihull Barons and Whitley Warriors will probably fight out fifth place, with slight preference for the former as the North East side are still struggling to pick up points consistently away from Hillheads.
Blackburn Hawks and Billingham Stars should fill the remaining two play-off places, although the loss of Kieran Brown to Sutton Sting could hurt the Lancashire side’s chances.
Widnes first, the rest nowhere?
Widnes Wild have come up short in previous attempts to win Laidler D2, but there can be no excuses this term.
Wild have won 14 games in a row and player/coach Ollie Barron appears to have assembled a squad that is a cut above the rest.
Sheffield Senators, Telford Tigers 2 and Hull Jets will hope to hunt the leaders down in the New Year, but it’s difficult to imagine Widnes failing again.
Bradford Bulldogs and Deeside Dragons are still in the running for a top four spot, while Coventry Blaze NIHL and Altrincham Aces could make a charge if they can find some consistent form. Blackburn Hawks 2 will finish bottom.
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