(Image permission: Hull Pirates)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Hull Pirates host Solway Sharks on Sunday aiming to build on last week’s comfortable victory against Deeside Dragons.
The former EPL side haven’t found things easy in Moralee D1, winning just two of their opening four games, but they will be hoping to lay down a marker against the reigning league champions this weekend.
Player/Coach Jason Hewitt said: “Overall I’m fairly happy where we are as a team. We know our start wasn’t what we wanted, but we addressed it and moved on – we can’t do anything about it now.
“This weekend is a first for all of us playing against Solway. From what I’m told they are a good skating team with high energy. They are last year’s champions, but we’ll just concentrate on what we’re doing. It’s going to be a good test and we’re excited for it.”
In Laidler D2, Hull Jets visit Bradford Bulldogs on Saturday in search of their third win in a row.
The Jets bounced back from their defeat against Sutton Sting by hitting double figures against Telford Tigers 2 and Blackburn Hawks 2, with forward Richard Haggar weighing in with ten goals over the two games.
He believes the Jets are capable of continuing the recent good form. “We’ve had a good start to the season and gone from strength-to-strength following the defeat to Sutton,” said Haggar.
“The Jets have a lot of young talent coming through with some experience up top and Dean Bowater staying with us after some outstanding performances last year in goal, we have every chance of pushing on this year.
“This weekend’s game against Bradford will no doubt be difficult after they defeated Sheffield last week but we are going there looking for the win. Following a strong start to the season the play-offs are our ultimate goal and we will do our all to be there come the end of the season.”
Ahead of the weekend’s games, the English Ice Hockey Association has confirmed that the 2017/18 season in D1 will conclude with the ‘NIHL Final Four’ at Coventry on April 7-8, 2018.
Following three rounds of play-offs in NIHL North and South, an overall national champion will be crowned after a weekend of action.
Teams reaching the final in each of the Moralee and Britton division play-offs will advance to the NIHL Final Four and play crossover semi-finals on Saturday, April 7, with the grand final scheduled for the following day.
Further details around ticketing and game timings will be released in the very near future.
EIHA chairman Ken Taggart said: “Coventry was the natural choice for our showpiece event and I’m very happy we’ve been able to confirm the details. The weekend finale to the hockey season is a big part of hockey in the UK and players, fans and officials now have that date in their diaries for this season.
“Bringing the best two sides from North and South together will give us two fantastic semi-finals and a worthy final to produce a genuine national champion. The NIHL season has started very well and we’re all excited to see how it develops as the season progresses.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Billingham Stars v Telford Tigers
Solway Sharks v Nottingham Lions
Sunday
Hull Pirates v Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions v Blackburn Hawks
Telford Tigers v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons
Laidler D2
Saturday
Bradford Bulldogs v Hull Jets
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Altrincham Aces
Sheffield Senators v Widnes Wild
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Sutton Sting
Sunday
Widnes Wild v Blackburn Hawks 2
Deeside Dragons 2 v Altrincham Aces
NIHL Autumn Cup
Sunday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Basingstoke Bison
You must be logged in to post a comment.