NIHL North play-off round-up

17 Apr 2013 | Michael Black

Solway Sharks had already claimed the league and cup, and were heavy favourites to reach the end of season play-off final

Solway Sharks’ hopes of an NIHL1 North treble were ended in stunning fashion by Blackburn Hawks. Sharks had already claimed the league and cup, and were heavy favourites to reach the end of season play-off final.

Sharks welcomed Hawks to Dumfries on Saturday evening and it was the visitors who took an early lead through Dan MacKriel. Ross Murray tied things up before the end of the first, with Nathan Salem and Bob Chalmers making it 3-1 by the second buzzer. Stevie Moore extended Sharks’ lead early in the third, but Myles Dacres and Matt Viney brought Hawks back into the tie. A late goal by Adam Reynolds gave Sharks a two-goal cushion ahead of the second leg.

Sunday’s return at Blackburn Arena saw the Hawks race into an early 3-0 lead, with goals by Aaron Davies, Dacres and MacKriel. Chalmers grabbed one back for Sharks early in the second to level the tie overall, but Ivo Dimitrijevs made it 7-6 on aggregate before the second break. Final period goals by Craig Rogers and MacKriel again sealed the win for the Hawks.

Hawks’ opponents in the final will either be Billingham Stars or Sutton Sting. Sunday’s first leg at Ice Sheffield saw Jamie Spurr put Sting ahead, but Stars fought back with goals from Michael Elder and Stephen Wallace. The return game is at TFM Arena next Sunday (face-off 6.30pm).

Next weekend also sees the NIHL North relegation/promotion play-off between Coventry Blaze and Deeside Dragons. The first leg is on Saturday at Deeside Ice Rink (face-off 4.15pm) with the return the following day at the Skydome, Coventry (face-off 8.30pm).