Leeds Knights find themselves edged out across opening weekend of NIHL National season

The hosts – now coached by Great Britain head coach Pete Russell, brother-in-law of Knights’ boss Ryan Aldridge – needed overtime to get the job done, winning 2-1 through a Sean Norris strike that squeezed through the legs of Knights’ netminder Sam Gospel.

Up until that point Gospel had produced a superlative display to keep his team in the game and deservedly picked up the MVP award for the night.

Last season, the Knights took nothing from the opening weekend when following up a 7-4 defeat at home to Telford Tigers with a 4-3 defeat on the road at Peterborough Phantoms.

Having lost out to Hull Seahawks on home ice 2-1 on Friday night it looked like that would be repeated 12 months on when, after weathering an early storm, the Knights - missing centre Finn Bradon through injury - fell behind to a James Griffin long-range blast through traffic in the ninth minute.

But while the Lightning enjoyed the greater share of possession and chances in the first period, the Knights - looking more settled than the previous night - gradually came into the game more.

They duly got their reward 19 seconds before the halfway mark when defenceman Sam Dunn forced the puck home.

The Lightning had the greater opportunities to regain the lead in the third but found Gospel in obdurate mood, meaning overtime was required.

That was just under two minutes old when Norris was able to edge ahead of Dunn through centre ice enough to fire the puck on goal where it deflected in off the inside of Gospel’s right pad to the delight of the home crowd.

The Knights return to action this Saturday with a visit from Peterborough Phantoms who opened their campaign on Saturday with an impressive 6-4 win at the home of defending regular season league champions, Swindon Wildcats.

SATURDAY RESULTS – Basingstoke Bison 7 Telford Tigers 4, Bristol Pitbulls 8 Romford Raiders 9, Solway IHC 4 Sheffield Steeldogs 3, Swindon Wildcats 4 Peterborough Phantoms 6.