(Image permission: David Morrison)
LANCASHIRE, UK – The top four play-off sides in the NIHL head to Coventry this weekend aiming to round off their seasons with a trophy.
Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers will represent the northern section, with Peterborough Phantoms and Basingstoke Bison battling on behalf of the south.
The Steeldogs face treble-chasing Basingstoke aiming to bounce back from the disappointment of being beaten by Telford in the Moralee D1 play-off final last weekend.
The Yorkshire club claimed the regular season title, but netminder Dmitri Zimozdra is keen to finish the campaign with more silverware.
“Making the Coventry weekend is a big deal for everyone,” he said. “We play all season long to give ourselves the best possible chance for the play-offs.
“However, unlike the long gruelling season it comes down to one game to make the final at Coventry which is an achievement in itself.
“It’s an achievement for the clubs, fans, players and everyone involved, of course another chance to win a trophy. It should be an exciting weekend for everyone.”
The Tigers meet Peterborough in Saturday’s first semi-final with their confidence boosted by their victory over Sheffield.
Forward Scott McKenzie was amongst the scorers in the first leg of that tie and he’s eagerly anticipating playing in the season’s biggest event.
“This weekend will be the toughest weekend of the season,” he said. “It’s the most prestigious weekend on the calendar and every player in the league wants to be hitting the ice in Coventry come Saturday.
“Fortunately, we have done a great job in securing our place in the semi-finals against Peterborough. They are a team we haven’t faced this season, but we’ve played against them in years gone by so we know we have a tough game ahead.
“We are focused on Saturday’s game and will do all we can to try and make the final. It’s been a great season for us – let’s hope we can cap it off with our second piece of silverware.”
Sutton Sting face Oxford City Stars on Sunday aiming to add the NIHL2 League Championship to their Laidler D2 title.
Oxford held off Solent Devils and Bracknell Hornets to secure the Wilkinson D2 crown in the southern section and set up the championship decider against Sutton.
A run of just two defeats in their final 18 matches ensured Sutton took top spot in the north and player/coach Simon Butterworth is eager to pick up another trophy ahead of the Laidler D2 play-offs in Widnes next weekend.
“We’re obviously looking forward to the game,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for our players to play in front of a large crowd and in particular for our young players to gain some good experience which should stand them in good stead the following week in Widnes.
“It will be interesting playing a team that we know next to nothing about. Usually you can adapt your game plan to suit your opposition, but this time it will be more about playing our own game to the best of our ability and seeing where that gets us.
“Hopefully that will be enough to see us add another trophy to what’s been a great season.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday
NIHL1
Telford Tigers v Peterborough Phantoms (1.00pm)
Basingstoke Bison v Sheffield Steeldogs (5.00pm)
Sunday
NIHL2
Sutton Sting v Oxford City Stars (1.00pm)
NIHL1
Telford Tigers/Peterborough Phantoms v Basingstoke Bison v Sheffield Steeldogs (5pm)
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