(Image permission: Chud Photography)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Sheffield Steeldogs moved back to the top of Moralee D1 after two solid performances on the road.
Milan Kolena (2) led the way as Sheffield won 4-1 at Telford Tigers, while Adrian Palak weighed in with a double in their 5-1 success at Billingham Stars.
Hull Pirates are just one point behind the leaders with a game in hand after recording an 8-5 victory at Solway Sharks and a 5-1 home win against Telford.
Solway bounced back from their defeat against Hull with a 6-3 success at Deeside Dragons – Lewis Houston (2) and Scott Henderson (2) topped their scoring.
Solihull Barons won 3-2 after overtime at home to Nottingham Lions and followed up with a 6-5 victory at Blackburn Hawks.
Ben Richards hit a hat-trick for Whitley Warriors in their 5-0 win at Nottingham.
Sutton Sting are six points clear at the top of Laidler D2 after securing two comfortable victories over Deeside Dragons 2.
Sutton triumphed 10-2 on the road and 10-4 back on home ice – Joseph Colton scored six goals over the two games.
Hull Jets secured the two most impressive results in D2, winning 7-5 at home to Sheffield Senators and 3-2 after overtime at Altrincham Aces.
Widnes Wild picked up four points from their weekend double-header against lowly Coventry Blaze NIHL, while Ryan Kemp scored five as Bradford Bulldogs cruised to an 11-1 victory at Blackburn Hawks 2.
PHN’s top two talking points
Championship Series is a great idea
The announcement that the NIHL season will conclude with three consecutive play-off weekends during April sets up a thrilling finale to the campaign.
Certain aspects of the Championship Series may need tinkering with in the future, but the three events should provide plenty of entertainment.
Let’s hope that fans across the country pack out Coventry, Widnes and Bracknell and the teams involved provide a fitting showcase for the NIHL.
Solway’s player pathway keeps producing the goods
Solway led title-chasing Hull 5-4 heading into the final period on Saturday, but four unanswered goals in the last 20 minutes sealed the win for the Pirates.
Despite the defeat Sharks’ boss Martin Grubb has plenty to be pleased about, especially when you consider that nine of his roster that played the game were aged 20 or under.
Liam Stenton was the latest player to progress from the club’s junior system this weekend, making his senior debut just a few days after his 16th birthday.
Stenton has been hugely impressive at U16 and U20 level in Scotland this season and he is a player worth keeping an eye on over the next few years.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 1-5 Sheffield Steeldogs
Blackburn Hawks 5-6 Solihull Barons
Deeside Dragons 3-6 Solway Sharks
Hull Pirates 5-1 Telford Tigers
Nottingham Lions 0-5 Whitley Warriors
Solihull Barons 3-2 Nottingham Lions (OT)
Solway Sharks 5-8 Hull Pirates
Telford Tigers 1-4 Sheffield Steeldogs
Laidler D2
Altrincham Aces 2-3 Hull Jets (OT)
Blackburn Hawks 1-11 Bradford Bulldogs
Coventry Blaze NIHL 1-5 Widnes Wild
Deeside Dragons 2 2-10 Sutton Sting
Hull Jets 7-5 Sheffield Senators
Sutton Sting 10-4 Deeside Dragons 2
Widnes Wild 5-2 Coventry Blaze NIHL
You must be logged in to post a comment.