(Image permission: Keith Jenny Davies)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Hull Pirates closed the gap on Moralee D1 leaders Sheffield Steeldogs to one point after recording two contrasting victories over the weekend.
Jason Hewitt (5) and James Archer (4) topped the scoring for Hull in their 23-0 home win against Deeside Dragons, but they were pushed much harder at Solihull Barons the following day.
The visitors opened up a three goal lead, but Solihull fought back to level the game at 3-3. Jamie Chilcott’s goal nine minutes from time secured the points for Hull.
Solihull had better luck at Whitley Warriors the previous day, with Luke Brittle’s overtime strike sealing a 5-4 victory.
Telford Tigers boosted their title hopes with two shut-out victories. Jason Silverthorn’s goal sealed a crucial 1-0 win at Sheffield and the Tigers followed up with a comfortable 8-0 home success against Whitley – Rick Plant (3) topped their scoring.
Sheffield bounced back from their defeat against Telford with a 4-2 success at Nottingham Lions – Milan Kolena weighed in with a couple of goals.
Chris Sykes enjoyed a superb personal weekend for Billingham Stars, bagging seven goals over their two games. Sykes hit a hat-trick in Billingham’s 7-5 home win against Solway Sharks and he added four more as the Stars cruised to a 15-0 victory at Deeside.
Iain Bowie (2) led the scoring for Solway in their 6-3 success at Blackburn Hawks.
Hull look well-placed to progress to the final of the Autumn Cup after falling to a narrow 4-3 defeat at Basingstoke Bison in the first leg of their last four tie.
In Laidler D2, Sutton Sting recovered from 3-0 down to secure a 4-3 home win against league leaders Telford Tigers 2 – Ryan Johnson grabbed the deciding goal.
Telford’s 19-3 victory at home to Deeside Dragons 2 the previous day ensured they ended the weekend still two points clear at the top of the table.
Richard Haggar (3) and James Robinson (2) were on target for Hull Jets in their 5-3 victory at Sheffield Senators. Bradford Bulldogs triumphed 3-1 at Coventry Blaze NIHL.
PHN’s top two talking points
Telford blow title race wide open
As predicted on Pro Hockey News in last week’s look at the title race, Saturday’s visit to Sheffield was a hugely important game for Telford Tigers.
Jason Silverthorn’s goal sealed a 1-0 success and there are now just four points covering the top three sides in D1.
Hull and Telford both have a game in hand on Sheffield, but those two sides still have to play each other four times in the league.
Whoever comes out on top in that series could well be crowned champions this season.
Fan frustrations mount at Blackburn
Sunday’s defeat at home to Solway means it’s now one win in nine games for Blackburn and they look like a club in freefall.
In fairness to the players, no-one could fault the effort they put in against the Sharks, but criticisms of the off-ice management of the club have certainly grown over the past few weeks.
A member of the Hawks’ coaching staff admitted publicly that there was a collective frustration around the team at the “goings on” off the ice, but all may not be lost just yet.
PHN understands that there is significant outside interest in taking over ownership of the team from the 2018/19 season onwards.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 7-5 Solway Sharks
Blackburn Hawks 3-6 Solway Sharks
Deeside Dragons 0-15 Billingham Stars
Hull Pirates 23-0 Deeside Dragons
Nottingham Lions 2-4 Sheffield Steeldogs
Sheffield Steeldogs 0-1 Telford Tigers
Solihull Barons 3-4 Hull Pirates
Telford Tigers 8-0 Whitley Warriors
Whitley Warriors 4-5 Solihull Barons (OT)
Laidler D2
Coventry Blaze NIHL 1-3 Bradford Bulldogs
Sheffield Senators 3-5 Hull Jets
Sutton Sting 4-3 Telford Tigers 2
Telford Tigers 2 19-3 Deeside Dragons 2
NIHL Autumn Cup
Basingstoke Bison 4-3 Hull Pirates
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