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LANCASHIRE, UK – Whitley Warriors visit Hull Pirates on Sunday hoping to follow up last week’s impressive home victory over Billingham Stars.
The Warriors have been inconsistent in Moralee D1 this season, but Sam Zajac’s return to the club from Swindon Wildcats helped to inspire a dominant performance from David Longstaff’s side.
Whitley had lost their previous two games and forward Shaun Kippin admitted it was a relief to collect two points.
“It was great to get back to winning ways last weekend,” said Kippin. “Games against Billingham are always hard-fought affairs, but we always looked like we’d pick up the win.
“It was great to grab two goals after not scoring for a couple of games and hopefully a few more will follow.
“Unfortunately, we’re travelling light on bodies again this weekend to Hull. It’s tough, but it’s the story of our season.
“They’re a good side, but we ran them close at our place during November and we’ll be doing all we can to get a positive result this weekend.”
Sheffield Steeldogs face a big weekend on home ice as they continue their bid for success on two fronts.
The league leaders face Solihull Barons in the league on Saturday, before welcoming Peterborough Phantoms to iceSheffield in the NIHL National Cup the following day.
Player/Coach Ben Morgan is eager to pick up two victories, but he believes Sunday’s game is a much bigger challenge.
“Saturday is important as we want to go in to Christmas still top of the league, but Sunday lunchtime is the big game for us this weekend,” he told the Sheffield Star.
“That’s no disrespect to Solihull – we know they’ll be tough side, like they were when we played them on the opening weekend of the season.
“Sunday is the bigger challenge because we need the win to keep momentum in the cup and because the short turn around between games makes it extra tough.
“It’s the second lunchtime game we’ve had this season and hopefully we’ve learnt a thing or two around managing the quick turnaround.
“We came out a little flat against Peterborough in our previous early face-off and made some errors which they punished us for. They’re too good a team to gift opportunities to, so we need to make a strong start.
“Three weeks ago when we played them, we were 3-0 up in the first period and could control the game from there, so we need to overcome any fatigue and be ready when the puck drops.
“We’ve had a good run recently and the team have been working hard on and off the ice, so it would be great to get the two more wins and celebrate Christmas top of the league and well placed to progress in the cup.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Billingham Stars v Hull Pirates
Sheffield Steeldogs v Solihull Barons
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Blackburn Hawks
Hull Pirates v Whitley Warriors
Solihull Barons v Billingham Stars
Telford Tigers v Nottingham Lions
Laidler D2
Saturday
Deeside Dragons 2 v Sheffield Senators
Hull Jets v Bradford Bulldogs
Telford Tigers 2 v Blackburn Hawks 2
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Telford Tigers 2
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Sutton Sting v Widnes Wild
NIHL National Cup
Sunday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Peterborough Phantoms
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