NIHL North round-up - week 18

Sutton Sting boosted their NIHL1 North play-off hopes after an impressive 4-1 win at home to Blackburn Hawks on Sunday. New signing Chris Sykes put Sting ahead late in the first, before goals in the middle period by Jamie Spurr, Richie Oliver and Matt Jeffcock put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. Bobby Streetly hit a late consolation for the Hawks, but Sting comfortably held on to secure the points.
Telford Titans could yet make a run at the play-offs after they secured another home success. Coventry Blaze were the visitors on Saturday, but they found Titans in good form as Dave Fielder’s men ran out comfortable winners – Conor Gordon (2), Karol Jets, Ed Eaton, Ollie Hunt and Cameron Blakemore scoring the goals in a 6-2 victory.
Blaze bounced back on home ice the following evening as they thumped relegation threatened Trafford Metros 7-2. Rhys McWilliams gave Blaze an early lead, before Josh Nicklin made it 2-0 late in the first. Sean Day pulled one back just before the break, but Nicklin’s second of the night after 23 minutes restored the two goal cushion. Jamie Rogerson brought Metros back into it, but Nicklin completed his hat-trick midway through the second. McWilliams made it 5-2 after 36 minutes, before goals from Josh Gent and Adam Alfoldy completed the rout in the final period.
Whitley Warriors came from 4-0 and 5-3 down to snatch an unlikely 5-5 draw at Sheffield Spartans. Scott Morris (2), Ollie Barron, Tom Wells and Shaun Wild got Spartans’ goals, with Christian Johnson, Callum Reid, Jordan Barnes, Paul Shanks and DJ Good replying for Whitley.
Next weekend sees Sutton host Billingham Stars, while Whitley meet Solway Sharks.

 

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