NIHL North play-off round-up

Billingham Stars will face Blackburn Hawks in the NIHL1 North play-off final. Stars edged through after a 5-4 second-leg win over Sutton Sting sealed a 7-5 aggregate success.

Stars held a 2-1 lead from the first-leg, but Sting’s Ryan Johnson tied things up after eight minutes. Stars replied quickly with goals by Stephen Wallace, James Moss & Richie Thornton putting them three in front overall. Jamie Spurr and Simon Offord brought Sting back into things, but Cal Davies quickly made it 6-4 on aggregate. Sting refused to lie down and Shaun Ashton reduced the margin to one to complete a hectic first period.

Both teams tightened things up in a scoreless middle period, but Stars put the game beyond doubt with under ten minutes remaining as captain Paul Windridge gleefully fired home. The final is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 4/5 May.

Coventry Blaze retained their NIHL1 North status with a 9-4 aggregate victory over Deeside Dragons. Blaze secured a 4-3 win at Deeside, and completed the job in style with a 5-1 success on home ice – Adam Alfoldy hit a hat-trick.

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