LANCASHIRE, UK – Widnes Wild retained the Laidler D2 play-off title after an entertaining weekend of action at Widnes Ice Rink.
Wild progressed to the final after recovering from 5-2 to beat Hull Jets 6-5 after a shoot-out – Shaun Dipnall grabbed the deciding goal.
League champions Sutton Sting faced Telford Tigers 2 in the other semi-final and ran out 4-3 winners – Scott Morris (2) led the scoring.
Widnes started Sunday’s final on the front foot and built up a two goal lead courtesy of Danny Bullock and Nick Manning by the end of the first period.
Two quick goals by Stanislav Lascek brought Sutton back into things early in the second session, but Manning’s second of the game after 26 minutes put Widnes back in front.
Andy Turner made it 4-2 in the 41st minute, before Lascek completed his hat-trick 11 minutes later to set up a tense finale.
Stuuart Brittle’s goal three minutes from time made it 5-3 and Manning’s late empty netter for his third of the game crowned a deserved victory for Widnes.
In the NIHL National Cup, Swindon Wildcats beat Sheffield Steeldogs 4-2 to complete a 6-4 aggregate success.
PHN’s top two talking points
Stop bashing match officials
Match officials come in for for plenty of criticism in numerous sports, but whether most of it is fair is debatable – particularly if the last two weekends are anything to go by.
The officials at last weekend’s SNL play-offs in Fife received plenty of abuse and there were more than a few dissenting voices at the Laidler D2 event this past weekend.
In the spirit of fairness, and having watched six games through neutral eyes, the officials at both events deserve a pat on the back.
Did they get every decision right? No, but in the main they did their bit to keep the games flowing and certainly played their part in making both weekends entertaining.
Having a go at officials seems to be the default position for many fans when their team isn’t winning.
There’s no game without them and they deserve more praise for their efforts than they get.
Manning the right man to seal the deal for Widnes
Widnes deservedly retained their Laidler D2 play-off crown at their own rink over the weekend, although Hull Jets gave them an almighty fright in the semi-final.
The Jets led 5-2 late in the second period, but Stuart Brittle’s goal for Wild in the 39th minute was a crucial turning point.
Further goals by Shaun Dipnall and a stunner from player/coach Ollie Barron (pictured above) sent the game to overtime and a subsequent shoot-out that Wild eventually edged.
Widnes were the better side for much of Sunday’s final, with Nick Manning their stand-out player on the night.
The former Sheffield Spartans forward seemed to be involved in most of his side’s best moments and it was fitting that he was on hand to bag the late empty-netter to complete his hat-trick and seal the win.
WEEKEND RESULTS
NIHL2 play-off semi-finals
Sutton Sting 4-3 Telford Tigers 2
Widnes Wild 6-5 Hull Jets (SO)
NIHL2 play-off final
Sutton Sting 3-6 Widnes Wild
NIHL National Cup final 2nd leg
Swindon Wildcats 4-2 Sheffield Steeldogs
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