Leeds Knights II completed a perfect 6-point weekend with back-to-back victories to start the new NIHL 1 Season.
Following a number of summer departures, LK2 has got younger, with Ben Elliot, Ilan Berman, Kieran Smith and Ollie Straw all stepping up to play senior hockey for the first time. Mackenzie Barker and Ollie Gotts joining from Hull and Altrincham respectively.
An average age of 17.5, means they are the youngest team in the division, but that is all part of the Knights development pathway.
After positive pre-season results in Whitley Bay and Sheffield, Hull were the first visitors to the Castle to kick off what is a very busy September. With no Knights games, Edgars Vengis stepped up with a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory over the Jets.
On his senior debut, 16-year-old Ben Elliot registered his first senior league goal, converting a rebound after jumping into the play. LK 2 were backstopped by Harrison Walker, who was excellent in making 42 saves in the win.
On the victory head coach Aaron Jordan said:
“It was a tough game, and we made plenty of mistakes, but it was great to see the players deliver a really good result to start the season.
“Edgars and Harrison were both excellent, but I think it is important to recognise how well all the debutants played, there are always going to be nerves but they did really well.”
Sunday saw the 2024/25 champions, Billingham Stars arrive for their first game of the season. Knights were quick to get on the board as Frank O’Sullivan converted on the powerplay.
There were two more goals before the end of the first as Evan Bradon converted a free-flowing move in style to register his first senior goal. Josh Hartley was quick on the mark to make it 3-0 before the end of the period.
In the second, Billingham got on the board to reduce the deficit, but LK2 hit back, first through Jake Wigginton, Ollie Gotts first for the club made it 5-1, a sensational move, after stealing possession in the neutral zone.
In the third Ollie Straw, poked home his first goal, a reward for a hard-working performance. Billingham grabbed their second of the game, but the Knights weren’t done; Hartley popped up with two more to seal his hat-trick and confirm an impressive victory.
Knights MVP was 15-year-old Kieran Smith, who picked up two assists and used his speed and energy to make an impact throughout the game. Netminder 16-year-old Harrison McCourt also recorded his first senior win.
Head coach Aaron Jordan said:
“It was a really impressive performance from the guys. We asked them to step, with Danny, Daragh, Edgars and Harrison (Walker) away with the Knights, we need players to take the lead and they did.
“It is a huge ask for a team that is so young to come in and play the way they did and I am so proud of how they continued to play they have in the juniors.
“It has been a fantastic weekend to start the season, we know it is going to be tough throughout the season and so we are enjoying getting two wins on the board.”
Knights II are in action next weekend in Sheffield on Saturday and then Hull on Sunday.
