LEEDS KNIGHTS saw their nine-game winning streak brought to an end by Sheffield Steeldogs - but they remain hot on the heels of NIHL National leaders, Swindon Wildcats. 


After Friday night’s hard-fought 3-2 win at Solway Sharks, the Knights had a free night before hosting their Yorkshire rivals at The Castle on Sunday. 


But it was the Steeldogs who were celebrating, ending their 15-game winless streak against the Knights with a 6-2 victory. 


Head coach Ryan Aldridge will now look for his players to respond in positive fashion when they face-off in another Yorkshire derby this Thursday, with Hull Seahawks paying a visit (7.30pm).


With Swindon having suffered an overtime loss in Milton Keynes on Saturday, the Knights sit two points adrift in second spot after 12 games. Telford Tigers are three points further back in third, but with a game in hand.


The Steeldogs arrived in West Yorkshire keen to exact revenge after losing 3-2 to the Knights at Ice Sheffield on October 17. 


And they got off to the perfect start at The Castle when Walker Sommer benefitted from a break down centre ice from Bair Gendunov before rounding Sam Gospel to stroke the puck home with just 36 seconds gone. 


It was Gendunov who doubled the lead just 62 seconds into the second before Nathan Ripley made it 3-0 just over a minute later. 


Ripley fired home a power play just before the halfway mark before the Knights finally got in the game through Kieran Brown at 34.51. 


For a third straight period, the Steeldogs scored early on, Sommer doubling his tally at 42.07 and although Brown matched his and Ripley’s output with a power play marker to make it 5-2 at 47.49, there was no way back for the hosts. 


To add insult to injury, Liam Steele made it 6-2 when he drove down centre ice before firing into the roof of Gospel’s net with just 85 seconds remaining.


The Knights warmed up for their derby duel on home ice with a 3-2 win at Solway Sharks on Friday.


They put themselves into a strong position by taking a 3-0 lead through goals from Liam Peyton, Oli Endicott – both on the power play – and Innes Gallacher with just over 25 minutes gone.


The hosts responded quickly to reduce the deficit through a Kell Beattie strike at 26.10 and although they made it a one-goal game with a goal from former Knights’ centre Joey Coulter at 43.33, there was no further scoring.