NIHL North round-up - week 24

Billingham Stars kept their NIHL1 North title hopes alive with a pair of wins to narrow the gap on leaders Solway Sharks to two points. Stars travelled to face Coventry Blaze on Saturday and took the lead after nine minutes through James Moss. Josh Nicklin quickly equalised, but Moss restored Stars’ advantage early in the second. Rhys Gillat made it 2-2 after 41 minutes, but the visitors sealed the points with further goals by Michael Bowman (2) and Moss’ third of the game.

Stars returned to home ice the following evening, with Blackburn Hawks the visitors to TFM Ice Arena. Cal Davies put Stars ahead early on, but Jared Owen quickly tied things up. Karl Culley made it 2-1 before the first break and Stars extended their lead in the middle session through Richie Thornton, Davies again and Dave Thomas. Hawks’ forward Matt Viney made it 5-2 early in the third, but Paul Windridge soon restored Stars’ four-goal cushion. Petr Jagr pulled one back for Hawks, but the home team comfortably held on to secure another vital win.

Sutton Sting strengthened their grip on third with wins over Telford Titans and Whitley Warriors. Chris Sykes (3), Matt Jeffcock, Craig Thurston, James Goodman and Ryan Johnson got the goals in Sting’s 7-2 win at Telford and Sykes followed up with another hat-trick as they edged past Whitley 5-4 on home ice. Andy McEwan and Shaun Ashton were also on the scoresheet, with DJ Good (3) and Callum Watson replying for the Warriors.

Deeside Dragons are the new leaders of NIHL2 North after a thrilling battle at Nottingham Lions. Michael Rose put the home team ahead after four minutes, but Brian Worrall made it 1-1 midway through the first. Jordan Bannon put Dragons ahead after 28 minutes, but two quick goals by Luke Branin saw Lions back in front by the second buzzer. Dragons took control in the final period as further goals by Bannon, Worrall and Andrew Chappell capped a fine 5-3 success.

Solihull Barons stay in the promotion mix after an impressive 15-4 win at Fylde Flyers - Mike Rodger (3), David Rogers (2), Neil Adams (2) and Rob Eley (2) led their scoring. Sheffield Senators kept their promotion hopes alive with a 6-1 defeat of Blackburn Eagles – Michael Weeks, Tom Ray, Michael Mawer, Stephen Weeks, John-Henry Walker and Kurtis Lowe got their goals. The only other fixture saw Hull Stingrays beat Fylde 12-3.

NIHL1 leaders Solway are back in action next weekend with away games at Coventry Blaze and Telford, while the big clash in Division Two sees Sheffield face-off against Solihull.

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