Leeds Knights lose further ground in NIHL National title race as Bristol Pitbulls end losing streak against champions
IF AT first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Or, in Bristol Pitbulls’ case against Leeds Knights, try 19 times before you are successful.
In a further blow to Leeds Knights’ hopes of a fourth straight NIHL National league title, the Pitbulls boosted their hopes of reaching the post-season for the first-ever time when clinching two vital points 6-5 in overtime.
Five times the Knights went into the lead at Merlin Road, five times the hosts roared back to level before nicking it 87 seconds into overtime through the impressive Bayley Harewood.
Ahead of Sunday night’s games - the Knights have a quick chance to strike back when hosting the Pitbulls at Elland Road - it left Ryan Aldridge’s team 12 points adrift of leaders Swindon Wildcats, with a game in hand.
With 21 games remaining in their regular season schedule, there is time yet for Leeds to overhaul the deficit.
But, with only two more games to come against the Wildcats, they will require help from elsewhere - and quite a lot of it.
In an entertaining encounter, Leeds took the lead for the first time when Kieran Brown fired home a loose puck from close range at 2.41.
Max Wigfield levelled on the power play at 13.42 and although the Knights got ahead again through Balint Pakozdi in the 19th minute, the hosts were quickly back in it when John Dunbar rounded Sam Gospel 32 seconds later at 18.45.
Brown and Jacob Bryceland - with a wraparound from left to right - exchanged goals early in the second before Kurts Baumanis scored his first point at this level when beating Tommy Nappier from close range to make it 4-3 at 27.58.
It was all-square again before the end of the second when Dunbar grabbed his second before Innes Gallacher burst free down the middle to make it 5-4 at 44.49.
It looked like that might be enough but, with just under seven minutes left Wigfield’s second of the night ensured overtime would be required, the hosts choosing the perfect moment through Haywood to go ahead for the first time on the night - when it mattered the most.