Stars’ Munroe was on target against Warriors |
Billingham Stars returned to winning ways in NIHL North (Moralee Conference) with a 6-2 win at home to Whitley Warriors. The victory ended a three-game losing streak as Stars had slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield Spartans the previous day.
James Spurr’s strike 14 seconds from time sealed a 4-3 come-from-behind win for Sutton Sting at home to Telford. The Titans’ performance was their second improved showing of the weekend, as they had also led against Blackburn Hawks. However, the visitors eventually secured a 10-6 success. In the KD Flavell & Sons Northern Cup Manchester Minotaurs lost 12-2 at home to Solway Sharks and 6-1 at Blackburn.
Tom Proctor hit the winner for Sheffield Senators as they beat Deeside 3-2. The Dragons bounced back with a 2-1 win at home to Nottingham Lions to move three points behind Laidler Conference leaders Solihull Barons. Filip Supa hit a hat-trick as Widnes Wild won 5-1 at Blackburn Eagles. Joel Aheran (2) led the scoring in Sheffield’s 5-3 success at Widnes.
Wightlink Raiders still lead NIHL1 South after a 9-6 win at home to London Raiders. Chelmsford Chieftains beat Invicta 3-1, but Dynamos picked up two points with an 11-4 win at MK Thunder. Streatham Redskins drew 3-3 at Cardiff Devils and followed up with a 6-2 win in the reverse fixture. Solent & Gosport Devils lost 5-2 at Bracknell Hornets, but recovered to win 4-3 at home to MK Thunder.
NIHL2 South leaders Slough Jets beat Basingstoke Buffalo 7-3, while Oxford City Stars won 5-1 at Wightlink Tigers. Haringey Racers, Swindon Wildcats and Lee Valley Lions also recorded victories.
Guildford Flames are the new leaders of the EPL. They crashed 6-3 at home to Peterborough Phantoms, but gained their revenge in the reverse fixture with a 3-2 shoot-out win. Manchester Phoenix also had a mixed weekend, losing 7-2 at MK Lightning before bouncing back with a 5-2 success at home to Basingstoke Bison.
Jan Kostal (4) & Aaron Nell (3) led the scoring for Swindon Wildcats as they cruised to an 8-1 win at home to Sheffield Steeldogs, while Ryan Watt’s shoot-out decider sealed a 5-4 victory in the return fixture. Miika Kiviranta scored twice for Telford Tigers in their 4-2 win at Basingstoke, but they fell by the same scoreline at home to Slough Jets. Bracknell Bees won 5-2 at Slough and they completed a four-point weekend with a 4-1 victory against MK Lightning.
Belfast Giants still lead the Elite League after two comfortable wins against Cardiff Devils. Jeff Szwez (2) & Colin Shields (2) led the scoring in their 7-2 win on home ice and they followed up with an 11-4 road success – Kevin Saurette (4) & Szwez (3) were amongst the goals. Nottingham Panthers beat Edinburgh Capitals 5-2 and Coventry Blaze 5-3, while Rod Dowd’s overtime strike sealed a 5-4 win for Sheffield Steelers at Coventry.
Hull Stingrays enjoyed a pair of 4-3 shoot-out wins at Braehead Clan and Edinburgh – Carl Lauzon grabbed the decider in both games. Fife Flyers won 4-3 after a shoot-out at home to Dundee, but the Stars gained their revenge in the return with a 4-2 victory.
Nottingham are through to the Semi-final of Challenge cup after a 10-7 aggregate win over Braehead. Cardiff lead Fife 7-3 after the first leg of their Quarter-final.