A pair of MOTM-winning shutouts from netminder Sam Gospel ensured another four-point weekend for Leeds Knights - as well as clinching a place in the NIHL National Cup semi-finals.
Having safely negotiated their way past a stubborn Romford Raiders at The Castle on Saturday for a 3-0 win, the Knights made the long trip to Hampshire the following morning expecting another dogfight against a Basingstoke Bison team who came out 3-2 on top in overtime when the teams met in Leeds in early November.
Knowing a win would secure their place in the last four of the Cup, the Knights played a savvy road game in Basingstoke, going ahead in the eighth minute through Bálint Pákozdi.
Chances were at a premium at both ends throughout the 60 minutes and while Gospel stood tall at his end, it was the Knights who found the net again in the second period, Finley Bradon doubling the lead at 33.45.
The Knights held out despite the best efforts of their hosts, ensuring the defence of their Cup crown remained intact, while staying just one point off leaders Swindon Wildcats in the regular season league standings.
That was made possible in part due to the previous night’s tussle with Romford at The Castle.
It was the Raiders’ second visit to West Yorkshire having lost 5-2 on October 5 and, as on that occasion, they proved difficult to overcome.
The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 35th minute when an in-form Oli Endicott was allowed time and space to turn eight yards out before firing the puck through Cole Ceci’s legs.
There was little opportunity for the Knights to rest as Romford dominated the second period in terms of goalscoring opportunities - but Gospel proved immovable, as he did again in the third period as the Raiders stepped up the intensity.
But it was thanks to the power play - twice - where the Knights were able to eventually breathe a sigh of relief, first gaining a bit of good fortune when Sam Dunn’s shot towards goal took a deflection of Bradon in front to make it 2-0 at 54.22.
Then, with Raiders’ Adam Laishram in the box on a slashing call, Endicott was able to pounce on a loose puck and fire home for his second of the night at 58.01.
Photo: Kev Bland Photography
