Leeds Knights' early-season frustrations continue after derby defeat at Sheffield Steeldogs

Having seen Basingstoke Bison take the extra point back home with them from Elland Road on Saturday night in the shape of a 3-2 overtime win, frustrated Knights’ head coach Ryan Aldridge demanding “better” from his players for the second week running following a home defeat.

He got that at Ice Sheffield on Sunday, although the Knights again made life hard for themselves when they fell 2-0 behind, just as they had against Basingstoke.

But while they were able to force the Bison clash into overtime, it was not to be in Sheffield, Oliver Knaggs scoring the game-winning goal with just under four minutes remaining.

It was a tough one to swallow for the Knights who had proved the equal of their hosts throughout the 60 minutes.

The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute of a first period the Knights had enjoyed the better of until Sam Cooper took a roughing call.

The power play was only 18 seconds in when Walker Sommer drove down the left-hand side and cut in, past a Knights’ defenceman and slotted home past Sam Gospel.

Just 22 seconds later, the Knights’ woes increased when Bailey Yates was allowed time to fire through traffic to double the hosts’ lead.

But the response from the Knights was quicker than the previous night, Matt Bissonnette posting his first goal of the season with a precision finish low to Shane Owen’s right to halve the deficit at 16.23.

A high sticking call on Brady Doxey then handed the Knights their first power play opportunity of the game and it was one they took when Sam Dunn - much like against the Bison - fired through traffic and past the unsighted Owen to tie things up at 18.50.

Thereafter, it was an intense, if fairly scrappy affair, both teams enjoying periods of dominance without finding a third goal, until defenceman Knaggs came up with what proved to be the game-winner at 55.29.

The result leaves the Knights in the quite unfamiliar position of eighth in the standings with eight games played.

This weekend sees them on the road, first visiting defending regular season league champions Swindon Wildcats on Friday before heading down to Hampshire to renew acquaintances with Basingstoke 24 hours later.

Their next home game at ‘The Castle’ is on Friday, October 23 against Solway.