Leeds Knights boss Ryan Aldridge labels absence of banned Edgars Vengis 'big loss'

The teenage forward will miss the next three games for an illegal check to the head in last Sunday’s 6-1 loss at Telford Tigers.

He was tossed from the game on the nioght and, on Thursday, was awarded a three-game ban by NIHL National’s Department for Player Safety (DOPS).

It means he is absent for Sunday’s clash at home to Basingstoke Bison as well as the subsequent games against Peterborough Phantoms and Hull Seahawks.

It brings an end to his ever-present run in the Knights team this season, one that has seen him seize his opportunity with both hands, posting three goals and four assists, in a string of impressive displays.

“He has had a big impact for us this season in such a short space of time and he will be a big loss for the next three games,” said Aldridge.

The Knights boss remains unconvinced the punishment fitted the deed committed by Vengis in Shropshire.

“I’ve seen worse this year and penalties have not been called,” added a frustrated Aldridge, who will still be without long-term injured defencemen Jordan Griffin (upper-body) and Lewis Baldwin (lower-body) on Sunday, as well as forwards Kieran Brown (upper-body) and Mac Howlett (illness). “I’ve seen way worse, or what I believe to be, going to DOPS and been given less (than Vengis).

“And it goes back to what I’ve been saying about how some things need to improve in this league.

“The league is getting stronger in terms of the teams and the players, but there are other things that need to improve and I think this side of the game still needs to improve.

“Essentially, Edgars took a heavy knock on what should have been a penalty to begin with, he’s got up and retaliated and we all know that it’s not in his character to do what happened and I think it was a bit of a mistake.

“I think three games for what else has been missed for other teams this week is pretty crazy - but it is what it is.”