(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Telford Tigers retained their place at the top of Moralee D1 with a comfortable 10-3 victory at Sutton Sting – Doug Clarkson (2) and Scott McKenzie (2) topped their scoring.
Cam Brownley bagged a hat-trick for Sheffield Steeldogs as they ran out 7-4 winners at Blackburn Hawks. Hull Pirates triumphed 10-2 at Billingham Stars.
Solway Sharks enjoyed a four-point weekend, winning 10-1 at home to Blackburn and 7-3 at Sutton.
Adam Brittle (3) led the way for Solihull Barons in their 8-2 victory at Nottingham Lions.
Widnes Wild’s 17-game unbeaten run in Laidler D2 was ended as they lost 4-3 at Telford Tigers 2 – James Smith notched a hat-trick for the home side.
Wild bounced back the following day with a comprehensive 14-1 home victory over Blackburn Hawks 2.
Bradford Bulldogs recorded a pair of victories, winning 7-5 on home ice against Coventry Blaze NIHL and 5-1 at Sheffield Senators.
Jakub Pavlicek (3) was amongst the scorers for Altrincham Aces in their 10-3 victory at home to Deeside Dragons.
Conspiracy theories aplenty in Moralee
Lovers of conspiracy theories were in their element over the weekend, with the postponements of the games at Hull and Telford causing much debate on social media.
Suggestions that Hull wanted their game against Sheffield called off because netminder Brad Day wasn’t available seemed wide of the mark given that numerous other games were cancelled at the rink over the weekend.
Whitley’s bus breakdown on the way to Telford was also questioned, although video of them on the roadside appeared to disprove the theory that they hadn’t travelled.
Suggestions that the footage was filmed just outside Durham rather than Matlock certainly added some humour to proceedings.
Phoenix continue their rise from the ashes
Manchester Phoenix’s covert rise from the ashes appears to be gathering pace if recent events in Blackburn are anything to go by.
Former Phoenix forward James Neil was appointed as the Hawks’ new player/coach following Steve Duncombe’s sacking and he promptly added two former teammates to the growing band of ex-Manchester players on the club’s roster.
However, loyal Hawks stars Aaron Davies and Ollie Lomax would be thoroughly justified in feeling miffed today given how little ice time they saw during Sunday’s defeat against Sheffield, particularly with one of the new signings supposedly only added as “temporary cover”.
The growing Phoenix influence both on and off the ice in Blackburn hasn’t been universally welcomed – imagine the reaction when Neil Morris rocks up as the club’s new owner.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 2-10 Hull Pirates
Blackburn Hawks 4-7 Sheffield Steeldogs
Nottingham Lions 2-8 Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks 10-1 Blackburn Hawks
Sutton Sting 3-7 Solway Sharks
Sutton Sting 3-10 Telford Tigers
Laidler D2
Altrincham Aces 10-3 Deeside Dragons
Bradford Bulldogs 7-5 Coventry Blaze NIHL
Sheffield Senators 1-5 Bradford Bulldogs
Telford Tigers 2 4-3 Widnes Wild
Widnes Wild 14-1 Blackburn Hawks 2
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
The NIHL North Cup takes centre stage this weekend, with the competition now down to the semi-final stage.
The Hull versus Sheffield tie appears too close to call and it would be no surprise to see either side progress to the final.
Telford are favourites to see off Solway, but the Sharks are certainly capable of springing a surprise if they produce their best form.
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