NIHL Playoffs Week 1 Preview
Hull Seahawks Vs Peterborough Phantoms
Fourth against fifth, the defending champions will look to try and keep their crown! Last season the Phantoms edged 2nd place in the group with the Seahawks missing out in third. Matty Davies’ team will be looking to change that this season. However, they will have to try get the wins without their captain Bobby Chamberlain who is missing due to suspensions from the final weekend of the regular season. It will be a fantastic matchup to open up the playoffs.
Leeds Knights Vs Telford Tigers
The second matchup in group one sees the league winning Leeds Knights face off against the Telford Tigers who secured their spot on the final weekend. The Tigers have consistently been able to make the final four at Coventry but this could be their biggest test yet! Despite the Knights going unbeaten against the Tigers this season, many of the games have been very close one goal games. Can the Tigers cause an upset to open the playoffs.
Swindon Wildcats Vs Sheffield Steeldogs
The Wildcats come into this seasons playoff having made the final four last season and will be looking to make it back to back. The Steeldogs failed to make the top eight last season but finished 6th this season. The Cats got the better of the Dogs in the regular season winning 3/5 games including a 8-4 victory on the last game of the season but the Dogs have shown many seasons that they are a different team when it comes to playoff hockey. The two top goalscorers, Jake Bricknell and Walker Sommer will go head-to-head.
Milton Keynes Lightning Vs Romford Raiders
These two teams have faced eachother many times this season including the semi-final matchup where the Raiders took the victory. The Lightning have failed to make the final four the past couple seasons and will look to make it third time lucky. The previous three matchups between these two sides have gone the way of the Lightning and they will be looking to carry on that form. But the Raider are not to be taken lightly with many great performances especially at home.
