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LANCASHIRE, UK – Whitley Warriors returnee Phil Edgar says he is unworried by the club’s slow start to the Moralee D1 season.
The Warriors lost their first six games this term, but two wins in the last three matches has lifted the mood around Hillheads.
Edgar’s addition to the squad this week is another boost after impressing in his debut season with Whitley in 2017/18.
The Canadian bagged 30 goals with 11 assists in 31 games playing as a forward, but he is likely to be used primarily as a ‘D’ man this time around.
Edgar admitted he is thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the Warriors and is looking forward to facing Telford Tigers on Sunday.
“After a lot of talk over the summer I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen for me,” he said. “Thankfully the club was able to work something out and now I’m ready to play.
“The first few games of the season haven’t turned out the best, despite the team playing fairly well and often leading after the first period in most games. However, I’m not too concerned.
“We have played a lot of the top three teams which are always difficult games and reflect our record.
“Realistically I think we have a very strong team and should be focused on working ourselves back to an even record. If we can get there, anything can happen closer to the end of the season and in the play-offs.
“As for me, my transition to defence is exciting and I’m looking forward to the role change. I hope to bring some of my offense to the defensive end, as well as playing hard defensive minutes against top players in this league.”
Telford Tigers 2 return to action after a two-week break against Hull Jets on Sunday aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.
A 6-3 reverse at Deeside Dragons ended Telford’s unbeaten start to their Laidler D2 campaign and player/coach Callum Bowley has challenged his side to return to winning ways on home ice.
“This weekend is going to provide a big test for us and I want to see a response after our disappointing loss to Deeside,” he said.
“Hull picked up a great result against a strong Widnes team at the weekend and I expect them to come to our rink on Sunday and play with a lot of confidence.
“They are a team that sprung a huge surprise last season and always made it quite difficult for us when we played them.
“We have to make sure we’re ready to go, come to the rink with the right mindset and put the defeat against Deeside behind us – we need to bounce back and play at our level.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Solihull Barons v Blackburn Hawks
Solway Sharks v Sutton Sting
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Solway Sharks
Blackburn Hawks v Nottingham Lions
Hull Pirates v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Telford Tigers
Laidler D2
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Altrincham Aces
Bradford Bulldogs v Widnes Wild
Hull Jets v Sheffield Senators
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Deeside Dragons v Blackburn Hawks 2
Sheffield Senators v Bradford Bulldogs
Telford Tigers 2 v Hull Jets
NIHL North Cup
Saturday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Hull Pirates
Telford Tigers v Billingham Stars
Sunday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Murrayfield Racers
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