NIHL WEEK 5 PREVIEW
Saturday 12th October:
The first game of the weekend sees the Hull Seahawks make the short trip to Leeds to play the Knights. First against second but the Seahawks will have to do it the hard way as main defence man Davey Phillips will miss the clash due to a four game suspension. Matty Davies side will also be without Kohen Taylor who picked up a one game suspension. The Seahawks did defeat the Knights in pre-season but it will be a tough challenge at the castle.
Next up the Bees will look to make it back to back home wins as they welcome the Solway Sharks. Goaltender Max Wright has just come off the back of saving 49/50 shots in a 2-1 win against the Knights so it will take a lot for the Sharks to try break him down. However they do have the current top scorer of the league Nolan Gardiner.
The Swindon Wildcats have just the one game this weekend and will have their star man Tomasz Malasinski back in the lineup after serving his three game suspension. Coach Aaron Nell has confirmed he will miss this weekend recovering from a knock. The Phantoms will be without their Captain Luke Ferrara who is serving the final game of his suspension.
The Telford Tigers will make the trip to Milton Keynes to face the Lightning for the first time this season. The Tigers got their first win of the season last weekend against the Bristol Pitbulls and have a tricky challenge of carrying that momentum on with the Lightning unbeaten at home in the league since September of last season. However the Tigers did defeat the Lightning in the play offs last season so they will look to take this into this game.
The final game on Saturday sees the the inform Sheffield Steeldogs welcome the Romford Raiders to town. The Steeldogs are coming off the back of securing a four-point weekend with Walker Sommer currently the hottest player in the league scoring five goals last weekend. The Raiders have only won one away game this season and will look to try and replicate their home form.
Sunday 13th October:
The Bristol Pitbulls play just one game this weekend as they welcome the Lighting to the barn. Bari Mckenzie’s side have improved as the season has gone on. They secured a point last weekend against the Phantoms in a 6-5 penalty shootout loss. The Lightning come off the back of a mixed weekend where they comfortably beat the Seahawks at home but fell to a 4-3 loss to their rivals in Peterborough on Sunday.
The Solway Sharks welcome the Steeldogs to Dumfries in a big clash facing off for the first time this season. The Sharks are coming off the back of narrowly losing their only game last weekend against the Knights. But lots of positives to take into this weekend. Both teams with new goalies this season so will be a big battle to see who comes out on top.
The Raiders will look to maintain their 100% record at home as they welcome the Bees to the Sapphire. Both teams losing away on the Sunday last weekend. But you cannot write the Bees off as they have pulled off some impressive wins against the Knights and Tigers. Shaun Miller has been the standout for the Raiders scoring 14 points in just seven games.
The Phantoms face off against the Tigers in Peterborough and welcome back their captain Ferrara who would have served his ban. This is not only a league but also a cup game so big for both teams if they want a chance to make the final four after the ten games. The Phantoms have won their last two home games with the Tigers yet to win away so it will be a tough test for Tom Watkins side.
The final game of the weekend sees the return game between the Leeds Knights and Hull Seahawks. Again the Seahawks will be without Davey Phillips but their home form has been very strong this season. Not losing a single game in the league at home. Both teams have had strong starts to the season and have not been shy of scoring goals but defences will be key this weekend.
Photo Credit - Blue Line Photography
