Leeds Knights coach Ryan Aldridge expecting tough derby test at Hull Seahawks
RYAN ALDRIDGE is well aware of the threat awaiting his Leeds Knights team in East Yorkshire on Sunday night - but takes his players there in confident mood.
Having suffered rare back-to-back defeats, the Knights bounced back impressively on home ice on Saturday night when seeing off Peterborough Phantoms 6-2.
Buoyed by the return of captain Kieran Brown, the Knights were good value for their win - one which returned them to second in the standings ahead of Sunday’s derby clash at Hull Seahawks.
It was Brown who broke the deadlock from close range after good work behind the net by Matt Bissonnette in the ninth minute, but it was Oli Endicott who was the star of the night for the hosts, posting two goals and three assists.
Endicott made his first contribution of the night when he doubled the lead at 11.03 when cutting in from the left and going five-hole on Hayden Lavigne.
After Peterborough halved the deficit through Luke Ferrara’s power play strike towards the end of a second period they just about edged, the Knights hit back strongly in the third.
On the power play, Balint Pakozdi added to his assist on Brown’s opener when he pounced on a loose puck close in at 43.52 before import defenceman Sam Dunn quickly made it 4-1 with a neat two-on-one breakaway with Endicott for his first Knights goal.
Endicott and Sam Cooper then combined to set up Innes Gallacher for a precise finish at 50.23 before - just two minutes later - Endicott scored an almost carbon copy of his first goal to make it 6-1, Peterborough grabbing a late consolation through Cameron Hough.
“We needed a performance like that, I think, to come away 6-2 up,” said a delighted head coach Aldridge ahead of Sunday night’s derby test in Hull. “I’m proud of the boys because they played great tonight.
“It’s going to be a completely different game in Hull, a big ice pad - the boys have really got to look after themselves tonight (Sat) and get lots of fluids in.
“Hull are a tough team to play, especially in their building, so we’ll see what we can accomplish.”
Hull prepared for the encounter with an impressive 5-1 win at Telford Tigers, defenceman Brock Bartholomew marking his return to the club with three assists.
From the Canadian left-hander’s first spell with the club during the 2023-24 NIHL National season, Aldridge is aware of the threat Hull’s latest addition provides.
“He’s going to have to play a big part,” added Aldridge. “And I’m sure he will because he is a good hockey player who can add a lot to their offence and I’m sure he will be a massive part of that team.”