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| Eagles celebrate their victory |
Blackburn Eagles won their first NIHL2 North (Laidler Conference) game in over two years after a stunning comeback against Widnes Wild. Eagles trailed 4-2 at the halfway point, but recovered in style to claim a 6-4 success – Myles Dacres (2), Dave Williams, James Riddoch, Tom Murphy & Harry Bolton got the goals.
Jordan Bannon’s final period hat-trick helped leaders Deeside Dragons recover from 6-2 down at home to Coventry Blaze to claim a remarkable 7-6 win. Nottingham Lions are up to second after a 7-2 success at Sheffield Senators and a 5-2 home win against Hull Jets. Richard Slater scored four in Solihull Barons’ 10-1 win at Hull, while Connor Hubbuck hit a hat-trick in their 13-2 romp at Widnes.
Solway Sharks stay top of NIHL1 (Moralee Conference) after a mixed weekend. Struan Tonnar’s hat-trick helped them to a 6-4 win at home to Blackburn Hawks, but Sharks failed to follow up as they fell 6-3 at Sutton Sting – Jamie Spurr scored three for the hosts.
Billingham Stars trailed Whitley Warriors 3-1 late in the final period, but produced a rousing comeback to win 4-3 – Richie Thornton grabbed the winner with four seconds left. Sheffield Spartans held off a late fightback from Sutton to claim a 3-2 success, while Manchester Minotaurs won 13-3 at Telford Titans.
Chelmsford Chieftains still lead NIHL1 South after a 5-2 win at London Raiders – Daniel Volrab scored three. Invicta Dynamos won 6-2 at London, while Wightlink Raiders beat Bracknell Hornets 7-2. In the NIHL South Cup Juraj Huska scored three as Invicta beat Wightlink 6-4. NIHL2 South leaders Slough Jets beat Invicta Mustangs 8-4. Oxford City Stars stay second after a 10-1 home win against Peterborough Islanders.
Guildford Flames are the new leaders of the EPL after a four-point weekend. Flames won 6-3 at Telford Tigers and followed up with a 4-2 success at home to Manchester Phoenix. Frantisek Bakrlik hit the winner in Manchester’s 3-2 home win against Swindon Wildcats. Tomas Karpov grabbed the overtime decider as Basingstoke won 4-3 at Peterborough Phantoms and Bison completed a successful weekend with a 2-0 victory over Slough Jets.
MK Lightning won 3-2 at Bracknell Bees, while Michael Farn’s overtime winner sealed a 5-4 success in the return game. Aku Pekkarinen scored twice in Swindon’s 4-2 home win against Peterborough. Sheffield Steeldogs slumped to double defeat, losing 6-3 at Slough and 2-1 at home to Telford.
Elite League leaders Belfast Giants slipped to a shock 5-3 loss at Edinburgh Capitals. Dundee Stars stay second after a 4-2 win at home to Edinburgh. Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers split their weekend series. Jeff Legue and Chad Langlais both scored twice in Steelers’ 5-3 win on home ice, while Panthers’ Matt Francis hit a hat-trick in their 6-1 success in the reverse fixture.
Braehead Clan had a mixed week, sandwiching a 3-2 home loss to Hull Stingrays with a 3-2 overtime win against Coventry Blaze and a 2-1 victory at Cardiff Devils. Coventry beat Cardiff 4-2, while Ryan Ginand scored twice in their 5-2 win at Hull. In the Challenge Cup Fife Flyers beat Dundee 4-2, but slumped to a 5-1 defeat against Belfast.
(Image permission: Lisa Jones)
