NIHL WEEK 2 PREVIEW
Saturday 21st September:
The weekend's first game sees the Telford Tigers travel to Hull to face the Seahawks. The Tigers lost their only game last weekend 5-4 to the Solway Sharks and with a couple of injuries within the team, they have signed Corey Goodison on a short-term deal who will ice this weekend. The Seahawks have also done some business as Matty Davies let go of Kaden Hanas and brought in Johnny Corneil from the Manchester Storm. The Seahawks go into this game sitting top of the league after comfortable victories against the Bristol Pitbulls.
After securing three points last weekend and a last-minute heartbreak against the Romford Raiders the Swindon Wildcats welcome the Solway Sharks to the Link Centre. The Wildcats got the best of the Sharks last season winning 4/5 games but the Sharks are coming off an impressive away win in Telford with in-form Nolan Gardiner scoring 5 goals across the weekend.
Things don't get any easier for the Bristol Pitbulls as they welcome the Leeds Knights in what would be a big upset if they can beat the reigning league champions. Kieran Brown is also available to play after missing last season through 'precaution'.
The MK Lightning will be looking to carry on their home form as they face a much improved Sheffield Steeldogs team. The Steeldogs only had one game last weekend and secured a big two points away in Peterborough. While the Lightning suffered a loss in Leeds on Sunday and will look to bounce back. Jack Brammer will miss the game after receiving a one-match ban from DOPS
And the final game on Saturday sees the Berkshire Bees look to get revenge on the Peterborough Phantoms after last weekend's 2-1 loss. The Phantoms will also be looking to get their first home win of the season after their loss to the Steeldogs.
Sunday 22nd September:
Sunday starts with an early game between two sides who missed the playoffs last season, the Steeldogs and Pitbulls. Both teams with a lot of new players and both teams with new coaches. Bristol will be looking to put some points on the board.
The Solway Sharks will also be looking to get their first win at home against the scoring Seahawks machine. They will also be looking to try to keep the score low after conceding 12 goals last weekend.
The Romford Raiders will be looking to make it two wins out of two at home after a late comeback against the Wildcats. They face the Phantoms and this will be their only game of the weekend, meaning they will have prepared for this game all week. New imports Andrew Shewfelt and Shawn Miller will be looking to carry on their goalscoring form from last weekend.
The Tigers will be looking to bounce back at home after losing to the Sharks but it will be a tough test with the Leeds Knights coming to Shropshire. The Knights won 6/6 games against the Tigers last season and will be aiming to do that again this season as they will push for the third league title in three seasons.
And finally, the Wildcats make the short trip down the M4 to Slough to face the Bees. The Cats got the better of the Bees last weekend winning 6-2 but it will be a different test for Aaron Nell's team as the ice rink is much smaller and tougher to play in.
Photo Credit - Leeds Knights
