(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Forward Richard Haggar believes Hull Jets will mount a challenge for silverware this season despite making a mixed start to the campaign.
The Jets have won four of their opening eight games, but they still lie just one point off top spot in Laidler D2.
The East Yorkshire side visit Coventry Blaze NIHL on Saturday and Haggar is expecting a tough battle against the much-improved home side.
“The start to the season has been a mixture so far where we’ve come out on the wrong end of a few results,” he said.
“We’ve not iced a full team in any game this season, whether due to injuries or other commitments, so we believe there is still a lot to come from us.
“This weekend is going to be a tough one away at Coventry. Sean (Alderson) has really turned them around and you know it’s always going to be a close game where you have to dig deep for the result.
“We really want to push on from last season. Barrie (Archer), our manager, has done an amazing job so far in bringing in lots of new sponsors to back us.
“Nobody expected us to do as well as we did last year, but we want to push on and go for the title and play-off success. I can’t see any reason why we can’t either.
“We have a few new additions to the team this year to strengthen our depth. Dean Bowater is getting better and better for us in goal and I think the Jets have a real opportunity to push on for success.”
Solway Sharks are in action twice on home ice this weekend, with games in both Moralee D1 and the NIHL North Cup.
The Sharks host Billingham Stars in the league on Saturday, just six days after they recorded a 5-3 road victory over the same opponents.
SNL side Murrayfield Racers visit Dumfries Ice Bowl in the cup the following day and Solway boss Martin Grubb is eager to follow up with two more wins.
“Saturday will be another difficult game against Billingham and I’m sure it will be a tight affair,” he said. “Both teams will be looking for the league points and we are hoping to build on last Sunday’s result.
“Sunday will be a tough match against the Racers. I think Tony (Hand) and his staff have done a good job on and off the ice and looking at their results they have started well in the SNL.
“We look forward to welcoming them to Dumfries and will be looking for the cup points.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Solihull Barons v Telford Tigers
Solway Sharks v Billingham Stars
Sutton Sting v Sheffield Steeldogs
Sunday
Nottingham Lions v Whitley Warriors
Telford Tigers v Sutton Sting
Laidler D2
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Widnes Wild
Bradford Bulldogs v Deeside Dragons
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Hull Jets
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Senators
Widnes Wild v Telford Tigers 2
NIHL North Cup
Saturday
Hull Pirates v Blackburn Hawks
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Hull Pirates
Blackburn Hawks v Sheffield Steeldogs
Solway Sharks v Murrayfield Racers
NIHL Autumn Cup
Friday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Hull Pirates
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