Recapping Week Two Of The NIHL Playoffs

Leeds Knights Vs Hull Seahawks

On Saturday night it was a 13 goal thriller with the Seahawks stealing the extra point in overtime. The Knights led 6-5 with 14 seconds to go before Sobchak scored his hat-trick goal to tie it up at six a piece, sending the game to overtime. Lee Bonner would be the hero with a lovely redirected finish which sent the travelling Seahawks fans into elation. 

However it was a great response from the Knights on Sunday. Ryan Aldridge side led 3-1 before the Seahawks came back to take the lead 4-3. But as the Knights have done all season, they battled back to turn the game on its head and secure the two points with a 6-4 victory. Kieran Brown with the game-winning-goal. Matt Bissonnette also on the scoresheet twice. 

Telford Tigers Vs Peterborough Phantoms

On Saturday night it was another thriller with it going all the way to penalty shots. Devon Skoleski tied it up for the home side with less than two minutes to go to grab a point but it would be the Phantoms who scored all three shootout goals to take the extra point. Luke Ferrara scoring yet another shootout goal in the playoffs after scoring the playoff winning shootout goal in 23/24. 

Then on Sunday night it was the Cam Hough show as he scored a fantastic hat-trick to lead the Phantoms to a 4-2 victory. 17 year-old Louie Kynaston also scored for the Slava’s side in his last game before flying out with the GB U18’s. A tough loss for the Tigers who mathematically cannot qualify for the Coventry final four.

Swindon Wildcats Vs Milton Keynes Lightning 

It was a hat-trick of games on Saturday night going to overtime with the Swindon Wildcats scoring the winning with 14 seconds left of the overtime period. Jake Bricknell’s goal squeezing through Will Kerlin and over the line. The Lightning did battle from 3-0 down to 3-3 in what could be a valuable point come the end of the group stages of the playoffs.

Then on Sunday the Wildcats completed the four-point weekend with a 4-3 victory on home ice. The Lightning took a 3-1 lead with Dillon Lawrence scoring his 4th of the weekend. However, the Wildcats battled back into the game and it was Edgars Bebris third period goal which keeps the Wildcats unbeaten so far in the playoffs. 

Romford Raiders Vs Sheffield Steeldogs

Friday night action saw the Romford Raiders pick up their first win, securing a 5-4 away victory with Reed Morison scoring four goals on the night putting him joint top point scorer of the playoffs. The Steeldogs did battle hard but couldn’t tie it up leaving them in a tough spot in the group. Jake Sylvester also getting a goal and three assists in the game. 

Then on Sunday night the Raiders made it a four-point weekend with a comfortable 7-2 victory on home ice. Bradon Ayliffe with a goal and two assists on the night. Owen Rider saving 27/29 shots in net for the home side. This loss for the Steeldogs official eliminates them for qualifying for the final four at Coventry.