Recapping Week 13 of the NIHL
Saturday 7th December:
The first game of the weekend saw the Hull Seahawks make it back to back home wins with a comfortable 8-1 victory against the Romford Raiders. Owen Sobchak scoring a hat-trick and extending his points lead at the top. Callum McGill also getting his first goals for the Seahawks.
The Swindon Wildcats shutout the Solway Sharks 3-0 in the battle of the Marr brothers. Renny Marr getting a 21 save shutout. With the Cats stopping the deadly duo of Gardiner and Dunbar. Nell, Billing and Bricknell with the goals in their teddy bear toss game.
The Leeds Knights beat the Berkshire Bees 6-1 in Slough. Both teams picking up a lot of penalties. Brown, Griffin and Perre sent off for the Knights while Gabaj and Morris were sent off for the Bees. DOPS will look into the situations further. Oli Endicott though with a four-point night getting 2 goals and 2 assists.
The MK Lightning secured a comfortable 9-3 win on home ice against the Bristol Pitbulls. This game saw the 2nd debut of Sean Norris who signed back to the team last Thursday. Gulliver helped himself to two goals whilst Mack Stewart picked up a four point night.
The final game on Saturday saw the Peterborough Phantoms narrowly beat the Telford Tigers 4-3 with Laakkonen getting a goal and three assists. The Tigers did pile on the pressure but it was a solid performance by Lavinge in net for the Phantoms stopping 48/51 shots.
Sunday 8th December:
The early game saw the MK Lightning secure a four-point weekend in Sheffield as they beat the Steeldogs 6-2. Norris netting his first goal back to the Lightning with Lawrence scoring twice. This win keeps the Lightning at the top of the table.
It was a cracker at the Pound where the Solway Sharks beat the Bristol Pitbulls 5-4 in overtime with John Dunbar scoring four goals including the overtime winner. Bayley Harewood scored twice including a shorthanded highlight reel goal.
It was another 4-5 away victory in the game between the Romford Raiders and Peterborough Phantoms. Two goals each from Luke Ferrara and Tom Norton secured the Phantoms a four-point weekend. A tough weekend for the Raiders who have their big semi-final second leg on Thursday night.
The Leeds Knights and Swindon Wildcats went toe to toe on Sunday night with the Knights beating them 3-2 in overtime. Jordan Buesa with the winner on the 4 on 3 powerplay. Renny Marr had another excellent game saving 48/51 shots including a last gasp save with three seconds to go in regulation.
The final game of the weekend saw a dramatic comeback from the Hull Seahawks against the Telford Tigers. Tom Watkins side taking a 5-1 lead after the first period but four goals from the captain Bobby Chamberlain and the overtime winner from Lee Bonner handed the Seahawks the extra point and a four-point weekend.
Photo Credit: Edward Bowen
