Recapping week 5 of the NIHL
Saturday 12th October:
The first game of the weekend saw the first of two matchups between Leeds Knights and Hull Seahawks. The Knights coming out on top in the first game winning 6-3 at the Castle. Noah McMullin stepping up with two big goals for the Knights. Whilst the Seahawks were without Davey Phillips and Kohen Taylor due to suspensions.
The next game of the weekend saw the Berkshire Bees sting the Solway Sharks with a 5-3 victory in Slough. Marcel Balaz contributing to all five for the Bees grabbing two goals and 3 assists. Will Stead also scored a pair whilst Sharks Captain Liam Stenton added another two goals to his tally for the season. Back to back home wins now for the Bees with Max Wright saving another 40 shots.
The Swindon Wildcats we’re back to winning ways as they defeated the Peterborough Phantoms 7-3. Tomasz Malasinski back in the lineup with a bang as he scored twice and assisted three. Jake Bricknell also having himself a four point night. A tough one for the Phantoms with five key players out the lineup due to injuries/suspensions including captain Luke Ferrara.
The MK Lightning carried on their home win streak in the league beating the Telford Tigers 8-3. Eight different goal-scorers for the Lightning including another three points for Ross Venus. Another tough loss loss for the Tigers who are still yet to win away from home. The Lightning also having over 2100 fans through the door!
The final game on Saturday saw the Romford Raiders carry on their great start to the season as they beat the Sheffield Steeldogs 4-3 up north. Ethan James the hero for the Raiders saving 53/56 shots on the night. Plenty of depth scoring for the Raiders with Ayliffe, Ranson, Wilson and Nixon on the scoresheet.
Sunday 13th October:
The first game on Sunday was a cracker between the Bristol Pitbulls and MK Lightning. Neither team could settle it in 65 minutes with the score at 4-4 meaning the game went to a shootout and MK would take the extra point. Both Jordan Hedley and Tommy Nappier had fantastic games making 44 and 45 saves. Cownie also added another two goals to his tally and helped the Lightning to another four point weekend.
The Steeldogs ran riot in Dumfries on Sunday night as they beat the Solway Sharks 6-1 with six different players on the score-sheet. A dominant performance by the Dogs who needed those two points after dropping some the night before against Romford.
The Raiders also picked up a four point weekend and remain unbeaten at home as they beat the Bees 7-2 on Sunday. Andrew Shewfelt scoring a hat-trick on the night and Ethan James making another 39 saves totalling to 92 saves across the weekend. This win puts the Raiders up to third in the table level with Leeds and MK.
The Phantoms defeated the Tigers 6-3 in Peterborough with Luke Ferrara scoring four goals on his return from suspension. Laakkonen helping himself to three assists and a goal in the game as well. A good turnaround from the Phantoms after the defeat to Swindon on Saturday night but another tough loss for the Tigers.
The final game of the weekend saw the Hull Seahawks get revenge on the Knights as they beat them 2-1 up in Hull. Lee Bonner getting the two goals for the Seahawks as both teams share the points across the weekend making it even closer at the top of the table. Davey Phillips still has to serve two more games of his suspension but a huge win without him on Sunday.
Photo Credit - CSW Imagery
