NIHL Weekend Preview

WEEKEND

PREVIEW

NIHL NORTH DIVISION 1 MORALEE CONFERENCE

Saturday 12th December 2015

Solway Sharks vs. Sutton Sting

Sunday 13th December 2015

Blackburn Hawks vs. Whitley Warriors

Whilst last weekend saw storms hamper Solway Sharks’ encounter against Telford Tigers, it also brought with it Whitley Warriors’ enthralling, and occasionally tempestuous, victory over Blackburn Hawks to end the eighteen month unbeaten run of the NIHL’s reigning champions. Though Billingham Stars do not have a fixture this weekend, having triumphed over Sheffield Senators last Sunday, this weekend is set to be even fierier as the Sharks host the undeniably ardent Sutton Sting at the Dumfries Ice Bowl, whilst the Warriors travel to Blackburn Ice Arena to face the Hawks for a second consecutive contest with the Lancashire outfit.

Taking to the ice on Saturday, seventh placed Solway Sharks will look to add to the twelve points they have accumulated so far this season in a bid to challenge Sheffield Spartans for sixth spot, thereby distancing themselves further from Sutton Sting who have picked up the pace in recent games.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Sutton have so far found the beginning of their 2015-16 campaign a difficult one, winning only four of fifteen games but John Ross’ line up have significantly improved their performance of late and, though the Sting suffered a 6-2 defeat to the strenuous Solihull Barons last Sunday, they have also picked up victories over both Sheffield outfits and a draw against the Blackburn Hawks in recent games. With this latest loss to Solihull in mind however, Sutton need to bounce back this weekend as, facing two further consecutive games against the Barons in the next few weeks, the side require momentum to compete against Perry Doyle’s progressing line up. Currently, just three points lie between Sutton and Solway in the NIHL table; if the Sting win their next two games, they could leapfrog the Sharks to go seventh, meaning their fixture at the Dumfries Ice Bowl is vital for both teams.

With the quality of imports Vjaceslavs Movko and Sergevs Jegorovs, and the power and experience of versatile alternate captain Ryan Johnson, the Sting are more than capable of competing with the best as evidenced by the side’s 2-2 draw with the Hawks, but they require a good run of form to inspire confidence and composure in Ross’ players.

This situation is all too familiar for coach Martin Grubb whose team continue to battle for a higher league position having struggled in the early stages of the season. Though losing six games in the first seven weeks of the season, Grubb has ignited Sharks’ winning mentality once again, spurring his side on to five consecutive league wins in recent weeks and, though Solway have lost their last two league fixtures, they have far more resilience than they started out with. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture, Grubb had the following to say: “The game against Sutton is a big game for both teams as we chase a top four spot and the playoffs. We know the Sting are a good team, and have shown that recently with a draw against Blackburn and we will need to be ready to play for sixty minutes. We have been improving recently but we need to continue to cut out mistakes and take the chances that come our way. We managed to win the away game and if we play solid at both ends of the ice then I am confident the boys will get the win.”

Though Solway continue to battle on without injured Slovakian import Martin Cingel, the Sharks continue to produce skilled offensive play, with forward Michael Corbett, alternate captain Ross Murray and left winger Steven Moore collectively constructing five goals for their team in four games. Likewise, defenceman Juraj Senko is also a goal threat, having scored two goals against the Sting in Solway’s last clash against the side.

With two points crucial for both teams, neither can afford to lose; victory for Solway would not only place them level on points with the Spartans but it would provide the Dumfries outfit with the opportunity to rival Billingham Stars for fifth place in the New Year. Meanwhile, a win for Sutton would leave John Ross’ line up within touching distance of seventh place and subsequently piling on the pressure for the Spartans and the Stars who continue to battle it out in mid-table as they aspire to an all-important playoff place.

Also adding to the action over the weekend, Whitley Warriors are set to confront the formidable Blackburn Hawks on away ice for the second of four consecutive fixtures against the Lancashire outfit. With impeccable home form, the Hawks will feel their consistency on the large ice surface will stand them in good stead and no doubt Daniel MacKriel’s side will be out to avenge their 4-2 defeat to the Warriors; Whitley having ended Blackburn’s eighteen month unbeaten run last Sunday.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though the Hawks continue to display pace, power and precision on the ice, a chink in Blackburn’s armour has shown in recent weeks, the side drawing to Sutton Sting on away ice, before suffering defeat at Hillheads to the well-organised Whitley Warriors. Despite this, Adam Brittle remains the NIHL’s top points scorer, the EPL- experienced forward accumulating thirty five points in twelve games. Likewise, import RJ Berra and versatile forward Richard Bentham are two of the NIHL’s top ten most valuable players, though it should also be noted that Warriors’ veteran player-coach David Longstaff has also made an outstanding contribution so far this campaign, scoring nine goals and assisting on an impressive twenty four occasions. Just last weekend, Longstaff bagged himself a hat trick against the Hawks, scoring on the power play in the first period, crafting a superb unassisted effort in the third and finally snatching an empty net goal within two seconds of the final buzzer.

Whilst there was a great deal of offensive play from both sides last weekend, with the Warriors having forty one shots on Daniel Brittle’s net in comparison to the forty five encountered by shot stopper Richie Lawson, a cloud continues to hang over Whitley enforcer Andre Payette and trouble maker Reece Cairney-Witter and whether or not the two will go toe-to-toe in their upcoming clash. Though a fight did not break out last Sunday, Payette and Cairney-Witter exchanged words from the warm up during the game at Hillheads and, should tempers boil over, it is likely that the dispute will be settled by blows from both parties.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Blackburn also play Telford on Saturday and, as far as league standings are concerned, a double defeat for the Hawks would see Whitley extend their lead to seven points. However, a four point weekend for MacKriel’s team could see the gap between first and second reduced to a single point, meaning victory for Whitley Warriors is crucial. Should the Hillheads outfit grab an away win, they would have an incredible twenty eight points to extend their lead at the top of the NIHL table and apply further pressure to the Hawks going into their next fixture on the 20^th December.

For those wanting to catch this unmissable ice hockey over the weekend, Solway Sharks welcome Sutton Sting to the Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday with a face off of 7:00pm whilst Whitley Warriors make the trip to Blackburn Ice Arena on Sunday to take on the Hawks from 5:45pm.

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