Match Report: Leeds Knights v Bristol Pitbulls - Planet Ice NIHL National Division (29th September 2024)


 


The Morley Glass Leeds Knights got back to winning ways on their return to The Castle. Dominance on the power play as well as the ability to spread the goals across the team were the keys to victory with 6 different players getting on the scoresheet.


 


Period 1: Bristol strike first but Knights hit back


 


It was Bristol Pitbulls who took an early lead in the game Rhys Smetham scored a goal on the breakaway assisted by Harewood and Hill timed at 05:32. It took the Knights just over 10 minutes to pull level with Matt Haywood scoring after 16:07 and just 22 seconds later the Knights were in the lead thanks to Kieran Brown scoring on 16:29. Both goals were power play goals and they were enough to see the Knights lead at the end of the period.


 


Period 2: Bristol strike early again


 


It was an even quicker start for the Pitbulls with Bobby Ragan scoring just 47 seconds into the second period to level the score. Matt Barron fired the Knights back into the lead just over a minute later with his 9th goal of the season timed at 21:54. The Knights began to click with Noah McMullin adding another power play goal at 27:02. The Knights were ruthless on the power play and grabbed their fourth power play of the match at 29:51 this time scored by Matt Bissonnette.


 


Period 3: Knights cruise to victory


 


The Knights were happy to sit on the lead they had built up earlier in the match before striking twice late in the game. Ethan Hehir grabbed a goal at 57:12 to make it 6 goals by 6 different scorers before Matt Haywood scored his 2nd and the Knights 7th goal at 58:28 to complete the victory.


 


Summary: Back to winning ways


 


The Knights bounced back from their first defeat of the season on Saturday night with a big win against the Pitbulls which sent them to the top of the NIHL National division table. 


 


Final Score: Leeds Knights 7-2 Bristol Pitbulls


 


Leeds Knights Scorers:


 


Matt Haywood (#11) - 2 goals (16:07, 58:28)


Kieran Brown (#12) - 1 goal (16:29)


Matt Barron (#37) - 1 goal (21:54)


Noah McMullin (#54) - 1 goal (27:02)


Matt Bissonnette (#73) - 1 goal (29:51)


Ethan Hehir (#6) - 1 goal (57:12)


 


MOM Jordan Griffin (#44)