The countdown is on.
With just 15 days to go until the Leeds Knights take on the Sheffield Steeldogs at The Castle for a mouth-watering Yorkshire derby, memories of last season's dramatic play-off meeting are still fresh.
When these two sides met in the Planet Ice NIHL National Play-Off Semi-Final in April in Coventry, the Knights edged out their Yorkshire rivals 3-2, with Kieran Brown scoring twice before Matt Bissonnette's third-period winner sent Leeds through to the Play-Off Final where another Yorkshire derby was awaiting them.
The Knights went on to complete an unforgettable Play-Off campaign by being crowned Planet Ice NIHL National Play-Off Champions, securing the silverware in Coventry and bringing the championship back to Leeds. The achievement capped a memorable 2025/26 season for the club.
Now, just months later, the rivalry resumes. Pre-season may not carry the same stakes as that unforgettable Semi-Final, but a Yorkshire derby is always a firece contest with Yorkshire bragging rights on the line.
For the Knights, it is another important step in preparations for the new campaign — and an early opportunity to test the squad against familiar opposition. For the fans, it is the chance to see the Knights back on home ice, with memories of last season's play-off triumph still fresh. Our new additions to the roster will also be playing in their first Yorkshire derby - we need to show them just how loud The Castle gets for these games.
15 days to go. Bring on the derby.
