The Morley Glass Leeds Knights were back to winning ways at The Castle on Sunday night in front of another incredible crowd as they hosted the Basingstoke Bison in league action.
A 4-3 defeat on the road to the Bison the night before extended the Knights’ rare losing streak to six games in all competitions, but goals from Liam Peyton, Danny Harrison and two from Matt Bissonnette on home ice on Sunday turned that around.
It was a performance worthy of praise from head coach Ryan Aldridge post-game: “I think we almost forgot how it felt [to win].
“It’s obviously been a struggle the last few weeks playing short, injuries, not playing our best.
“I thought we were good tonight. The boys are tired and they should be, the way they played. I thought we were relentless and I thought it was us – the closest we’ve been to Leeds Knights hockey for a while.”
It was three goals in four minutes for the Knights as the second period got underway with Matt Bissonnette first on the scoresheet.
“I thought Bizz was phenomenal tonight,” said Aldridge.
“I thought he played like a leader.
“We wrote a list of things on the board I wanted to see tonight, and I think he stepped up and was a leader; played like a leader, scored goals like a leader and everybody was better.”
Bissonnette scored his second of the night just four minutes after getting the scoring started for the Knights with a finish described by Aldridge as “absolutely awesome”.
Liam Peyton got the second goal with Danny Harrison rounding off a brilliant night on home ice with his second goal in two games.
The 17-year-old was on the scoresheet in Basingstoke the night before, and continued his run of form with a goal in the second game of the double header on home ice.
“Danny’s got a great shot,” said Aldridge.
“I think he doesn’t realise how good his shot is. He’s probably got one of the of the better shots on the team.
“Two goals in two nights… massive for him.”
The young talents on the team have all been putting on performances to be proud of in recent weeks.
“It’s a big step,” said Aldridge.
“[They’re] still young boys finding the areas where they can get pucks away or get shots from.
“Jonas, since he’s come back from injury, has been unbelievable. All the young kids have been unbelievable.
“I thought last weekend they were our best line. This week we split them up to try and get a bit of energy on each line, but again, I think they’ve all been unbelievable.”
Next up for the Knights is the Sheffield Steeldogs but this time in league action. It’s the last time the two will face each other before the second-leg of the National Cup Final which is to be played at iceSheffield on Wednesday 11th March.
Aldridge spoke on the upcoming games saying: “I think for me it’s about performances. Tonight was the best performance we’ve done in a few weeks. We’ve got to build on that, we cannot take backwards steps.
“I think just worry about each performance at the moment until that Cup Final.
“I think they’ve got a few injuries. They’ll be resting guys, I believe. We’re going to give it our best shot that night but again, it’s about momentum for the Final.”
