Recapping Week One Of The NIHL Playoffs
Leeds Knights Vs Telford Tigers
On Saturday night, the Knights took the extra point in a 4-3 overtime victory with Kieran Brown scoring the game winning goal. A great fight though from the Tigers who came back from 2-0 down and 3-2 to get a point on the board.
Then on Sunday the Knights cruised to a 9-2 win to secure the four-point weekend and the perfect start to their playoff campaign. Matt Barron scored a hat-trick with Jordan Buesa also scoring twice on the night.
Hull Seahawks Vs Peterborough Phantoms
On Saturday night the Seahawks grounded out a 3-2 win at home with Dima Zimozdra making 44/46 saves on the night. Emil Svec with the game winning goal for the Seahawks in what is an important start for them.
The Phantoms then needed to get some points on the Sunday and they did just that with a comfortable 6-2 win. Nathan Salem the star on the night with two big goals. The Phantoms outshooting the Seahawks in both games but it ends with a split across the weekend.
Swindon Wildcats Vs Sheffield Steeldogs
The Wildcats came from 2-0 down to beat the Steeldogs 4-2 with player-coach Aaron Nell and polish star Tomasz Malasinski both scoring twice on the night. Dan Crowe gave the Steeldogs every opportunity with a stellar performance saving 45/49 shots. Phillips also scored twice for the Steeldogs but it wouldn’t be enough to stop the Wildcats pressure as they started the playoffs just like they did the year before.
Then on the Sunday it was a great start again for the Cats, taking a three goal lead in the first period, Glenn Billing with two goals. But the Steeldogs battled back into the game getting it to 3-2. However Pakozdi’s goal straight after to give the Wildcats their two goal lead back would turn out to be the game winning goal. A solid start to the playoffs for the Wildcats which leaves the Steeldogs with a big task with four games to go.
MK Lightning Vs Romford Raiders
Saving the best double header to last with 27 goals scored across the two games. On Saturday night it was looking comfortable for the Lightning as they took a 7-3 lead. However despite only having 4 d-men and 13 skaters, the Raiders didn’t give up and battled all the way back to 7-7 with Reed Morison scoring a hat-trick on the night. With the game heading to overtime it would be Sean Norris who went coast-coast to give the home side the extra point in a thriller to start the playoffs.
Then on Sunday it was more of the same, the Lightning coming out the blocks early with two quick goals. But as they have done all season the Raiders battled back from 6-3 down to 6-5. But it wouldn’t be enough as Harry Gullivers hat-trick goals secured the Lightning a 7-5 win and most importantly the four-point weekend.
