(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Sheffield Steeldogs player/coach Ben Morgan has praised his team’s attitude after they reached the final of the NIHL Autumn Cup during the week.
The Steeldogs completed a 7-6 aggregate success over Hull Pirates on Wednesday to secure their spot in the final against either Swindon Wildcats or Peterborough Phantoms.
The reigning Moralee D1 champions return to league action this weekend against Billingham Stars and Whitley Warriors and Morgan has backed his players to maintain their high standards.
“Wednesday night’s result and overall team performance was up there with some of the best we’ve managed to achieve as a club over the past 18 months,” said Morgan.
“We knew exactly what was required on the night and how we would try to execute our game plan in a difficult rink against exceptional opposition and with key players missing from our line-up.
“I couldn’t be any more proud of the boys for their efforts in reaching the NIHL Autumn Cup final.
“We don’t have long at all to celebrate the win as we move our attention back to the league campaign which, as reigning champions, we are fully focused on emulating again this season.
“Billingham will look to improve on their away record at iceSheffield, but we will obviously be up to the task of ensuring the points don’t leave Sheffield.
Defender Tim Smith played a key role in Sheffield’s victory at Hull, chipping in with a second assist as the visitors tied the aggregate scores early in the game. The 30-year-old says the result was one of the proudest moments of his career.
“Going into Hull a goal behind with three senior key guys missing was a real backs to the wall job,” he said.
“We dug in as a group and felt confident throughout the game which saw us pulling out a massive win and sending us through to another cup final. I just hope we can learn from last season and go one step further and pick up a piece of silverware.
“Looking ahead to the weekend it will be difficult. We’ve had a busy schedule over the last two weeks – the games have been coming thick and fast of late.
“Billingham are very organised this season and we had to battle to pull through the last time, so we need to make sure we are prepared.
“Whitley Bay is never an easy rink to play in. They’re physical and play their rink well. We just have to play a smart road game and make sure we get the job done.”
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
Telford Tigers’ forward Scott McKenzie has backed the reborn Murrayfield Racers to recapture their former glories.
The Racers returned to the sport this season to play in the Scottish National League in addition to icing in the NIHL North Cup.
They are unbeaten in the league and cup in Scotland, but are yet to pick up a point against their Moralee D1 counterparts and were beaten at home by the Tigers last weekend.
The two sides are due to meet again in Telford this Saturday and McKenzie, who represented Scotland at junior level, is looking forward to facing a club he has a great affinity with.
“As a young lad the very first team my parents supported was Murrayfield Racers,” he said. “They were huge fans and naturally as a young kid I grew up watching the Racers and eventually getting on the ice.
“I suppose I feel like the main reason for me playing ice hockey is down to this passion and excitement that the Racers brought to not only me, but my parents in the late 1980s. The fact that they are back and I am able to compete against them is a pretty cool thing.
“It’s going to take time for the club to grow, but the history of the Racers name is unquestionable. The opportunity to grow and become as big as they were is obviously there for everyone to see. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.”
Widnes Wild player/coach Ollie Barron says he’s delighted with the improvements shown by his team over the past few weeks.
Wild lost three of their first six games this season, but have since rattled off five wins in a row to move to the top of Laidler D2. Barron’s side host Altrincham Aces on Sunday and it is a clash he is eagerly anticipating.
“I’m happy with how we have started the season – in recent weeks I’ve been really pleased with our teamwork and work rate,” said Barron.
“I have players returning from injury which will make us stronger going forward into a tricky busy period of the season.
“This weekend we face a hard-working Aces team. Games between us are always close and hard-fought. I’m really looking forward to it.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Billingham Stars
Sutton Sting v Solihull Barons
Sunday
Hull Pirates v Sutton Sting
Nottingham Lions v Blackburn Hawks
Solihull Barons v Solway Sharks
Whitley Warriors v Sheffield Steeldogs
Laidler D2
Saturday
Bradford Bulldogs v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Hull Jets v Blackburn Hawks 2
Sunday
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Sheffield Senators
Telford Tigers 2 v Deeside Dragons
Widnes Wild v Altrincham Aces
NIHL North Cup
Saturday
Solway Sharks v Hull Pirates
Telford Tigers v Murrayfield Racers
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Telford Tigers
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