A double dose of ice hockey action is back on the agenda for the Leeds Knights this week as we go for more points with ties, home and away, against the talents of Telford Tigers.
The Next Battle
The double-header starts on Saturday evening as we swing into Telford fresh from just the one night on-ice in week seven.
The Tigers may currently sit at the bottom of the ladder but have already claimed a morale-boosting win at home this week with the scalp of Peterborough Phantoms. With changes made to the roster for Telford, in the form of two new Non-British Trained (NBTs) players, they got quick results from both as they contributed four points to the win.
It will be hoped that they provide a spark to the side further up ice and help to protect a netminder in Brad Day who has faced the third-most shots to date.
Six of those efforts on net resulted in Leeds lighting the lamp on our trip south in the early weeks and in the five games across 2023/24 the Knights were able to register at least four goals in every meeting - winning a perfect 10 points against Tom Watkins’ side - which will no doubt add confidence to the group who seem to be hitting the mark as the season gets into full swing.
With the season just warming up both games offer opportunity to Ryan and the boys. A win on the road would represent a 10th so far in just 14 games.
Both of our opponents’ other wins before this week have come against our Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield Steeldogs and Hull Seahawks, proving they are always a match for any of the league’s sides and need to be respected as the only side who have also joined us at the end-of-season play-offs in the last two years.
Back at Elland Road is a tricky task, however, with an atmosphere unmatched and in the knowledge that the 60 minutes will double up as a league/cup fixture; where a win will secure our place in a semi-final for the fourth year running.
With the previous two home fixtures at the Castle also a clear indication that the team are coming into the type of form that the coaching staff want it will be another step in the right direction to claim four points in 48 hours and maintain pressure at the top of the table.
H-2-H Hotshots
A multi-point showing in the opener between the sides will have Matt Barron itching to get on the ice and extend his points streak in similar fashion this weekend.
The Nova Scotian has had his name on the stats sheet in all but three of our games in his second season and that productivity has him as the club’s top scorer with 13 goals.
Alongside this, his two-way game and ability to cover both ends of the ice have shone in recent weeks. In this form, he could well break the game open at any moment and the threat is already well-known to the Tigers.
Scott McKenzie is a mainstay of the Telford organisation and has been a key part of their successes, accumulating over 70 points in seven consecutive years.
Now captain, his play style is one of leading by example and in the team-leading 22 points split evenly across goals and assists he is doing just that. Always a danger and very adept at screening the play he will undoubtedly keep a defence only conceding 2.76 goals-per-game honest for the duration.
Catch The Action
After a convincing victory against one team in orange to end October can the Knights repeat the feat to start November?
Be right across all the events by grabbing your seats to be front-and-centre in the best city for NIHL National action in the country and cheer on the lads this Sunday.
